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Martin Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

6.1

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.004 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

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

ApplianceIn MartinSoft Water CityEfficiency 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 Martin compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Martin, Tennessee≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Union City, Tennessee≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Mayfield, Kentucky≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Paris, Tennessee≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Murray, Kentucky≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater

National Benchmark

How Martin compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Martin≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Martin's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 35 mg/LpH: 6.1

The Martin Water Department supplies drinking water to about 10,000 residents in Martin, Weakley County, Tennessee, and nearby areas. This utility draws all its water from groundwater sources within the Memphis Sand Aquifer. Their treatment facility, located near 375 Powell Road, uses aeration and chlorine disinfection to meet federal and state drinking water regulations. For any service questions, you can reach the department at 731-587-3126 or visit their office at 109 University Street.

Martin's water originates from the Memphis Sand Aquifer, a significant groundwater basin within the Mississippi Embayment region. Geologically, this area is characterized by Tertiary-age sands and gravels deposited over clays, with occasional lenses of limestone and dolomite. These carbonate layers allow for some mineral dissolution, contributing to the water's moderate mineral content. Unlike water from karst limestone formations that tends to be very hard, the predominantly sandy composition of the Memphis Sand Aquifer leads to less aggressive mineral leaching, resulting in a water profile that is neither particularly soft nor excessively hard.

Homeowners in Martin might observe some scale accumulation on fixtures, faucets, and heating elements over time due to this moderate hardness, though it's typically less pronounced than with very hard water supplies. Appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers can be affected, potentially impacting their efficiency and lifespan. Simple maintenance, like cleaning showerheads monthly and flushing water heaters annually, can help manage scale buildup. Many residents find installing a water softener beneficial, especially if they notice spotting on dishes or experience dry skin, as it improves soap lathering and extends appliance life. The Martin Water Department consistently meets EPA health standards, with recent quality reports confirming compliance for all regulated contaminants.

Geology & Source: Memphis Sand Aquifer; Tertiary sands and gravels; moderate hardness from associated limestone/dolomite lenses

Other Tennessee Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Martin's water safe to drink?
Yes. Martin'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 Martin?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Martin'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 Martin compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Martin (≈ 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 Martin 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

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.

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.