Oak Ridge Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in Anderson County — a major east Tennessee nuclear science city (Oak Ridge is one of the most scientifically significant communities in the United States — the 'Secret City'; Oak Ridge was built secretly during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project (the US nuclear weapons program — Oak Ridge's Y-12 National Security Complex produced the enriched uranium used in the 'Little Boy' atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945; the secret city of Oak Ridge employed over 75,000 workers at its peak and was so secretive that Tennessee state election maps did not show it)); home of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL — one of the most important US Department of Energy research facilities, consistently ranked among the most significant national laboratories in the United States; ORNL is particularly known for its work in neutron science, energy, materials science, and computational sciences), a diverse Anderson County community with a highly educated science and technology professional, diverse international research community population — draws its municipal water supply from Melton Hill Reservoir via the City of Oak Ridge Water Resources Division. Water hardness in Oak Ridge measures 94 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.

Oak Ridge's moderate softness reflects the east Tennessee Anderson County Appalachian Valley supply with effective treatment. The Clinch River (Melton Hill Reservoir) drains Ordovician Knox Dolomite (calcareous). City of Oak Ridge applies effective treatment, producing the moderately soft 94 mg/L.

With hardness at 94 mg/L, Oak Ridge residents enjoy moderately soft water. City of Oak Ridge Water Resources Division consistently delivers water meeting all Tennessee TDEC and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.