Murfreesboro Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
185.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.29
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 Murfreesboro, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Murfreesboro | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -29% |
| Washing Machine | 9.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -21% |
| Water Heater | 11.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -25% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Murfreesboro compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Murfreesboro, Tennessee | 110.5 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Smyrna, Tennessee | 190.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| La Vergne, Tennessee | 170.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Shelbyville, Tennessee | 102 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Lebanon, Tennessee | 230 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Murfreesboro compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Murfreesboro | 110.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Murfreesboro's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Murfreesboro, Tennessee draws its municipal water supply from the City of Murfreesboro Water Resources Department, sourcing raw water from J. Percy Priest Lake — a US Army Corps of Engineers impoundment on the Stones River in Davidson County — via intake infrastructure accessing the reservoir from Rutherford County. The Stones River, a Tennessee River tributary, drains the central portion of the Nashville Basin in central Tennessee. Raw water is treated at the Murfreesboro Water Treatment Plant before distribution throughout the city, one of the fastest-growing mid-sized cities in Tennessee. Water hardness measures 110.5 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Murfreesboro's moderate hardness reflects the geology of the Stones River watershed within the Nashville Basin. The Stones River drains the central Nashville Basin — a large, nearly elliptical structural basin underlain by Ordovician Lebanon Limestone and Carters Limestone formations that produce the characteristic thin, cherty karst topography of middle Tennessee. These ancient marine carbonates, exposed at the surface across much of Rutherford and Davidson Counties, dissolve readily into surface and subsurface drainage, contributing consistent moderate calcium bicarbonate loads to the river and reservoir. The Nashville Basin's limestone geology is among the most productive carbonate terrain in the Interior Low Plateaus region.
With hardness at 110.5 mg/L, Murfreesboro residents encounter moderate scale formation in household use. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop deposits over several months — monthly descaling keeps them performing efficiently. Dishwashers produce consistently better glassware results with rinse-aid, and kettles benefit from periodic citric acid treatment. Water heaters accumulate moderate element scale over time, making an annual inspection a worthwhile routine. The City's Water Resources Department consistently delivers water meeting all Tennessee TDEC and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from J. Percy Priest Lake on the Stones River — the upper Stones River drains the Nashville Basin's Ordovician Lebanon Limestone and Ordovician Carters Limestone of the Interior Low Plateaus, releasing moderate calcium bicarbonate from classic karst Nashville Basin terrain, producing moderately hard supply at 110.5 mg/L.