How does Kingsport's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Kingsport (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Kingsport Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.9

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.004 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

306.2 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Kingsport, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Kingsport	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 Kingsport compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Kingsport, Tennessee	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.9 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Johnson City, Tennessee	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Bristol, Tennessee	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Bristol, Virginia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Elizabethton, Tennessee	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Kingsport compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Kingsport	≈ 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 Kingsport's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 306.2 mg/LpH: 7.9

Kingsport Water Department serves approximately 106,765 people across 7 cities in Sullivan County and surrounding areas of northeast Tennessee. The utility draws its water exclusively from the South Fork Holston River, treated at the Kingsport Water Treatment Plant using conventional methods including pre-oxidation with chlorine and sodium permanganate addition. Annual Consumer Confidence Reports are mailed to customers and available via the city's public works website; contact: 423-224-2487.

The South Fork Holston River watershed spans the Appalachian Ridge and Valley physiographic province, with headwaters influenced by Ordovician Chickamauga Group limestones and dolomites and the underlying Knox Group — Paleozoic carbonate formations that weather to release calcium and magnesium into the river. These mineral-laden waters impart a moderately mineralised character to the supply. Rapid river flow limits extensive mineral pickup compared to groundwater sources, though the source is rated reasonably susceptible to contamination based on geologic factors and nearby human activities.

At this moderately hard level, Kingsport's water promotes moderate scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers, reducing efficiency and causing spotting on glassware and dry skin from soap scum. Regular descaling of affected appliances and fixtures is recommended, and a water softener is advisable to improve lathering and extend appliance life. Water quality earns a B grade (80/100) with good overall compliance; treatment includes conventional filtration, pre-chlorination, and sodium permanganate to control disinfection byproducts. The supply meets EPA and state standards per the 2019 CCR, with 2026 reports confirming only minor concerns.

Geology & Source: South Fork Holston River, Ridge and Valley province, Appalachian Mountains; Paleozoic Ordovician carbonates — Chickamauga Group limestones and dolomites, Knox Group underlying; carbonate weathering releases calcium and magnesium into river flow;

Other Tennessee Water Reports

Johnson City

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bristol

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bristol

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Elizabethton

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kingsport's water safe to drink?

Yes. Kingsport's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Kingsport?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Kingsport's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Kingsport compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Kingsport (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Kingsport is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.