Jackson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
394.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.47
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · 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 Jackson, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Jackson | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -55% |
| Washing Machine | 7.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -41% |
| Water Heater | 8.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -43% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Jackson compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Jackson, Tennessee | 176.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Dyersburg, Tennessee | 182 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Corinth, Mississippi | 71.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Lakeland, Tennessee | 181 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Collierville, Tennessee | 188 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Jackson compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Jackson | 176.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Jackson's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Jackson, Tennessee, the Madison County seat in west Tennessee — a regional medical and commercial hub midway between Memphis and Nashville — draws its municipal water supply from a blend of Forked Deer River surface water (treated at the South Fork surface water plant) and local West Tennessee groundwater wells accessing the Cretaceous McNairy Sand and Eocene Claiborne Group formations via the Jackson Energy Authority. Water hardness in Jackson measures 176.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Jackson's hard supply contrasts with the very soft Memphis Sand Aquifer water in neighboring Shelby County (Memphis: 89.5 mg/L) — reflecting the different aquifer horizon and Madison County's surface water blending. The Forked Deer River (South Fork) drains the west Tennessee loess plain — the Quaternary loess (calcareous wind-blown silt) of west Tennessee and the Cretaceous McNairy Sand and Eocene calcareous clay terrain of Madison County. The loess and calcareous Coastal Plain formations in Madison County contribute higher dissolved calcium than the pure siliceous Memphis Sand in Shelby County. The local wells in the McNairy Sand and Claiborne Group in Madison County access more calcareous formations than the world-famous Memphis Sand, producing the harder 176.5 mg/L supply.
At 176.5 mg/L, Jackson residents face regular hard water challenges. Scale deposits form on faucet aerators, showerheads, and appliances within weeks — monthly descaling with citric acid solution is standard maintenance. Jackson Energy Authority consistently delivers water meeting all Tennessee TDEC and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Forked Deer River (South Fork) and the Jackson Energy Authority groundwater system — the West Tennessee Coastal Plain Cretaceous McNairy Sand and Eocene Claiborne Group (Memphis Sand equivalent) wells in Madison County; hard supply at 176.5 mg/L in Madison County.