Shelbyville Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
165.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.27
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 Shelbyville, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Shelbyville | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -27% |
| Washing Machine | 9.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -18% |
| Water Heater | 11.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Shelbyville compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Shelbyville, Tennessee | 102 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Tullahoma, Tennessee | 176 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Murfreesboro, Tennessee | 110.5 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Smyrna, Tennessee | 190.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Spring Hill, Tennessee | 89.5 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Shelbyville compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Shelbyville | 102 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Shelbyville's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Shelbyville, Tennessee, in Bedford County — the Bedford County seat in the rolling middle Tennessee Central Basin, known as the Walking Horse Capital of the World (home of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in the historic Calsonic Arena) and a middle Tennessee agricultural city with rich bourbon and distilling heritage — receives its municipal water from Shelbyville Utilities, which draws from the Duck River or local Bedford County reservoir impoundments. The Duck River is one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America and a key water supply corridor for middle Tennessee.
The moderately hard 102 mg/L hardness and TDS of 165.1 mg/L reflect the Duck River watershed's middle Tennessee Central Basin limestone geology. The Duck River originates and flows through the heart of the Central Basin — the oval interior lowland of middle Tennessee underlain by the Ordovician Nashville Dome sequence: the Stones River Group limestone, the Nashville Group (Hermitage and Carters Limestone formations), and the Ordovician Lebanon Limestone. These ancient Ordovician platform carbonates form the Basin's bedrock, and their spring discharge and stream base flow consistently contribute dissolved calcium and magnesium bicarbonate to the Duck River. The moderate hardness (102 mg/L) reflects the Duck's balanced watershed — Ordovician limestone carbonate springs tempered by Bedford County's upland drainage areas and the Duck River's exceptionally high biological diversity (suggesting a clean, well-managed water source).
At 102 mg/L, Shelbyville's water is moderately hard — comfortable for middle Tennessee household use. Scale builds slowly in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling of heating appliances is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.4 ppt is very good — reflecting the Duck River watershed's rural agricultural character, Bedford County's limited military-industrial PFAS sources, and the Duck River's status as one of Tennessee's most pristine protected river corridors.
Geology & Source: Shelbyville in Bedford County draws from the Shelbyville Utilities treating the Duck River or local Bedford County reservoir — the Duck River drains the Central Basin of middle Tennessee (Ordovician Nashville Dome limestone and Ordovician Carters Limestone carbonate plateau) — Ordovician Nashville Dome limestone carbonate drainage from the Duck River watershed produces moderately hard water at 102 mg/L with TDS 165 mg/L in this Bedford County Tennessee city.