Tullahoma Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
387.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.47
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 Tullahoma, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Tullahoma | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -55% |
| Washing Machine | 7.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -41% |
| Water Heater | 8.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -43% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Tullahoma compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Tullahoma, Tennessee | 176 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Shelbyville, Tennessee | 102 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Murfreesboro, Tennessee | 110.5 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| McMinnville, Tennessee | 212 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Smyrna, Tennessee | 190.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Tullahoma compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Tullahoma | 176 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Tullahoma's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Tullahoma, Tennessee, in Coffee County — the Coffee County seat adjacent to Manchester on the Cumberland Plateau fringe in the Highland Rim, home of Arnold Engineering Development Complex (US Air Force — largest aerospace testing facility in the world) — receives its municipal water from the Tullahoma Utilities Authority, drawing from Tims Ford Lake (Elk River impoundment, Franklin County) or Woods Reservoir in Coffee County.
The moderately hard 176 mg/L hardness and TDS of 387.8 mg/L reflect the Elk River watershed's Cumberland Plateau and Highland Rim geology. The Elk River drains the Highland Rim of central Tennessee — terrain underlain by the Mississippian St. Louis Limestone, Warsaw Limestone, and the Mississippian Hartselle Sandstone. The Mississippian limestone belt of the Highland Rim is a carbonate-dominated sequence that produces the moderately hard water characteristic of this portion of middle Tennessee's water supplies.
At 176 mg/L, Tullahoma's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.9 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Arnold Engineering Development Complex (Tullahoma — US Air Force rocket and jet engine testing, AFFF user in the Elk River watershed), the Coffee County industrial corridor, and the middle Tennessee PFAS background contribute to Tullahoma's readings.
Geology & Source: Tullahoma in Coffee County draws from the Tullahoma Utilities Authority on Tims Ford Lake (Elk River, Franklin County) or Woods Reservoir (Coffee County) — the Elk River drains the Cumberland Plateau and the Highland Rim (Mississippian St. Louis and Warsaw Limestone) — Tennessee Cumberland Plateau Mississippian limestone drainage produces moderately hard water at 176 mg/L with TDS 388 mg/L in this Coffee County Tennessee city.