Portland Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
464.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.52
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 Portland, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Portland | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -64% |
| Washing Machine | 6.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -48% |
| Water Heater | 7.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -48% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Portland compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Portland, Tennessee | 196 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Gallatin, Tennessee | 140 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hendersonville, Tennessee | 104.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Goodlettsville, Tennessee | 204 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Springfield, Tennessee | 96 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Portland compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Portland | 196 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Portland's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Portland, Tennessee, in Sumner County — a Sumner County city adjacent to Gallatin and Hendersonville on the Drakes Creek in north-central Tennessee — receives its water from the City of Portland Water, drawing from the Drakes Creek reservoir (Sumner County) through the north-central Tennessee distribution.
The hard 196 mg/L hardness and TDS of 464.1 mg/L reflect the north-central Tennessee Sumner County Cumberland Plateau supply's hard calcareous character — the Mississippian St. Louis Limestone highly calcareous and Ordovician Knox Dolomite produce hard water typical of the upper Cumberland Plateau communities in north-central Tennessee (compare Lakeland TN: 181/412 in Shelby County comparable; Portland harder from the Sumner County Cumberland Plateau calcareous draw). The Drakes Creek watershed at Sumner County — Mississippian St. Louis Limestone (highly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Knox Dolomite (dolomitic — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Cumberland alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 196 mg/L with TDS 464, Portland's water is hard. A water softener is recommended to prevent scale buildup. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 6.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Sumner County north-central Tennessee industrial corridor contribute to Portland's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Portland in Sumner County draws from the City of Portland Water on the Drakes Creek reservoir (Sumner County, north-central Tennessee) — the Drakes Creek watershed at Sumner County drains the Cumberland Plateau (Mississippian St. Louis Limestone — highly calcareous) and Ordovician Knox Dolomite (dolomitic) — Tennessee Sumner County Drakes Creek Mississippian-Ordovician calcareous supply produces hard water at 196 mg/L with TDS 464.1 mg/L.