Union City Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
533.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.57
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 Union City, your appliances are currently losing 28% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Union City | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -69% |
| Washing Machine | 5.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -52% |
| Water Heater | 7.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -53% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Union City compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Union City, Tennessee | 212 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Martin, Tennessee | 138.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Dyersburg, Tennessee | 182 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Mayfield, Kentucky | 209.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Sikeston, Missouri | 254 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Union City compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Union City | 212 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Union City's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Union City, Tennessee, in Obion County — the Obion County seat adjacent to Martin and Fulton in northwest Tennessee near the Kentucky border — receives its water from the City of Union City Water Department, drawing from the Obion River watershed through the northwest Tennessee distribution.
The very hard 212 mg/L hardness and TDS of 533.7 mg/L reflect the Obion County supply's very hard Mississippi Embayment character — the Cretaceous McNairy Formation and Quaternary Mississippi Embayment alluvium concentrate calcareous mineral content from the northwest Tennessee Gulf Coastal Plain geological corridor (compare Martin TN: 208/521 in Weakley County comparable; Fulton KY: 215/546 in Fulton County comparable; Union City consistent very hard from the same Obion County Obion River Cretaceous calcareous supply). The Obion watershed — Cretaceous McNairy Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Quaternary Mississippi Embayment alluvium (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Holocene Obion River alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 212 mg/L with TDS 534, Union City's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. The PFAS level of 7.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the City of Union City's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Union City in Obion County draws from the Union City Water on the Obion River watershed (Obion County, northwest Tennessee) — the northwest Tennessee watershed draws from Cretaceous McNairy Formation (slightly calcareous) and Quaternary Mississippi Embayment alluvium (calcareous) — Tennessee Obion County Obion River Cretaceous calcareous supply produces very hard water at 212 mg/L with TDS 533.7 mg/L.