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

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

Paris Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

5.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

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

Appliance	In Paris	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 Paris compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Paris, Tennessee	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Murray, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Martin, Tennessee	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Mayfield, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Union City, Tennessee	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Paris compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 84 mg/LpH: 5.7

The City of Paris Water Department supplies municipal water to Henry County and nearby communities. Their water comes from a mix of groundwater and surface water sources, drawing from aquifers and surface bodies within the Eastern Highland Rim geological formation. Paris residents receive treated water that meets EPA and state drinking water standards, processed at local treatment facilities.

The Paris water supply is located within the Cumberland Plateau watershed, an area defined by Ordovician-age limestone and dolomite. These bedrock layers naturally add minerals like calcium and magnesium to the groundwater. However, the Eastern Highland Rim aquifer system here allows water to move relatively quickly through sediments with lower mineral content, which helps keep the water's overall mineral load moderate compared to areas directly above deeper limestone deposits.

Homeowners in Paris might observe some scale forming on fixtures and notice that soap doesn't lather as easily, though these effects are less pronounced than in regions with very hard water. Over time, appliances like water heaters and dishwashers can accumulate mineral deposits, necessitating occasional cleaning. For those bothered by scale or seeking better soap performance, a water softener is a good option, but it's not crucial for health or safety given the current hardness level. Paris water has consistently met EPA standards, with zero violations reported since 2023, and lead levels are significantly below the EPA's action limit.

Geology & Source: Eastern Highland Rim aquifer system; Ordovician limestone and dolomite; moderate hardness due to rapid water movement through less mineral-rich sediments

Other Tennessee Water Reports

Murray

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Martin

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Mayfield

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Union City

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paris's water safe to drink?

Yes. Paris'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 Paris?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Paris'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 Paris compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Paris (≈ 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 Paris 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.