Clinton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
214 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Clinton, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Clinton | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Clinton compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clinton, Tennessee | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Oak Ridge, Tennessee | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Farragut, Tennessee | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Knoxville, Tennessee | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Maryville, Tennessee | 46 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Clinton compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clinton | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Clinton's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The Clinton Utilities Board (CUB) provides drinking water to residents of Clinton, Tennessee, in Anderson County. Their primary water source is the Clinch River, with water undergoing conventional filtration treatment. CUB utilizes chlorine for disinfection, a common practice in municipal water systems. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has identified the Clinch River watershed as "reasonably susceptible" to contamination due to upstream influences. This designation highlights the importance of the utility's treatment processes in ensuring safe drinking water for the community.
The Clinch River watershed itself is geologically defined by the Cumberland Plateau and Eastern Highland Rim. These areas are characterized by underlying Paleozoic-age limestone and dolomite formations, notably the Knox Group and related Ordovician–Silurian carbonates. As surface water and groundwater interact with this mineral-rich bedrock, it naturally picks up substantial amounts of calcium and magnesium. This geological process is standard for the region and is the reason behind the characteristically hard water supplied to Clinton.
Homeowners in Clinton will likely notice the effects of this hard water on their appliances and plumbing. Over time, mineral scale can build up in water heaters, kettles, and dishwashers, potentially shortening their lifespan and reducing efficiency. You might also find that soaps and detergents don't lather as effectively, and glassware may show spotting after washing. Installing a water softener is often recommended to counteract these issues and reduce the need for frequent descaling. CUB consistently meets all state and federal water quality standards, with recent reports showing excellent compliance for turbidity and no exceedances for lead or copper.
Geology & Source: Cumberland Plateau & Eastern Highland Rim Paleozoic limestone and dolomite (Ordovician/Silurian Knox Group); dissolution of calcium and magnesium produces hard water
Other Tennessee Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clinton's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Clinton?
How does Clinton compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Clinton is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
Water Hardness
Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
TDS — Total Dissolved Solids
Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.
PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.
Lead
Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Appliance Lifespan
Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.