Jackson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.3 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
5.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
77 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.15
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 Jackson, your appliances are currently losing 8% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Jackson | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -9% |
| Washing Machine | 11.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -4% |
| Water Heater | 13.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -11% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Jackson compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Jackson, Tennessee | 57 mg/L | 67.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | groundwater |
| Dyersburg, Tennessee | 182 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Martin, Tennessee | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Corinth, Mississippi | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Paris, Tennessee | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Jackson compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Jackson | 57 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Jackson's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Jackson, Tennessee is served by the Jackson Energy Authority (JEA), which operates a municipal water system drawing from 21 deep wells tapping the Memphis Sands aquifer. Water is treated at two local water treatment plants before distribution throughout the service area. The system is regulated by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and complies with all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
The Memphis Sands aquifer is a Tertiary-age groundwater formation underlying the Mississippi embayment region. This deep aquifer consists of permeable sand and gravel layers interspersed with clay, which moderately mineralizes the water as it percolates through the formation. The geological character of the Memphis Sands produces a soft water supply, typical of deep groundwater systems in the mid-South, with calcium levels documented at 11.7–23.0 mg/L per the 2024 Consumer Confidence Report.
At soft levels, Jackson's water causes minimal scale buildup in kettles, water heaters, and pipes, with effects far less severe than in hard-water areas. Dishwashers and washing machines may show slightly reduced efficiency over time and benefit from periodic descaling. A water softener is generally not necessary, though households concerned about scale accumulation may consider one to extend appliance lifespan. The 2024 CCR confirms all EPA and state maximum contaminant levels are met; chloroform and haloacetic acids remain well below regulatory limits, and activated carbon filtration is employed at both treatment plants.
Geology & Source: Memphis Sands aquifer — Tertiary-age sand and gravel unit underlying the Mississippi embayment; permeable sand, gravel, and clay moderately mineralize water, dissolving calcium and magnesium carbonates to produce soft supply
Other Tennessee Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jackson's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Jackson?
How does Jackson compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Jackson 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.