Oak Ridge Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
144.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
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 Oak Ridge, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Oak Ridge | 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 Oak Ridge compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oak Ridge, Tennessee | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Clinton, Tennessee | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Farragut, Tennessee | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Knoxville, Tennessee | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Maryville, Tennessee | 46 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Oak Ridge compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oak Ridge | ≈ 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 Oak Ridge's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Oak Ridge Department of Public Works operates the municipal water utility serving the city of Oak Ridge in Anderson County, Tennessee. The system sources water from surface water reservoirs in the local watershed, treated at a conventional plant using chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, and hypochlorite for disinfection. Emergency contact is available 24/7 at (865) 425-3504 (mailing address: P.O. Box 1, Oak Ridge, TN 37831). The 2025 Annual Water Quality Report confirms full compliance with state and federal standards, with an overall quality score of 80/100 from independent analysis.
The supply originates from the Clinch River watershed within the Tennessee River basin, traversing the Ridge and Valley geologic province. Paleozoic carbonate rock formations — including Ordovician limestones and dolomites of the Knox Group — underlie the area, promoting mineral dissolution into surface waters. This geology yields a moderately mineralised supply; dissolved calcium and magnesium shape the water's character without extreme hardness from deeper aquifers, consistent with the Conasauga Formation dolomitic limestone terrain of the Appalachian foothills.
At moderately hard levels, scale buildup affects water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines most, reducing efficiency and raising energy costs — estimated at $1,130–1,980 annually for Oak Ridge households in replacements and repairs. Maintenance tips include regular flushing of heaters and vinegar descaling for appliances; a water softener is recommended to extend equipment life and improve soap efficiency. Seven contaminants exceeded EPA health guidelines in some tests, and surface water is reasonably susceptible to contamination per Tennessee's Source Water Assessment; contact Mark Terry at (865) 425-1620 for details.
Geology & Source: Ridge and Valley province, eastern Tennessee; Paleozoic carbonate rocks — Ordovician Knox Group and Conasauga Formation limestones and dolomites — dissolve calcium and magnesium; moderately hard surface supply
Other Tennessee Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oak Ridge's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Oak Ridge?
How does Oak Ridge compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Oak Ridge 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.