Where does the water in 37686 come from?

Water for zip code 37686 in Piney Flats, Tennessee is provided by 4 water systems. Contact your local utility for specific source information, or check our detailed page for your area.

Water Hardness in 37686

Q: Is the water hard in Piney Flats, TN (37686)?

The average water hardness in 37686 is 3 PPM (0.2 GPG), which is classified as soft. No water treatment is typically needed.

Q: Do I need a water softener in 37686?

At 3 PPM, your water is relatively soft. A water softener is generally not necessary, though some homeowners prefer the feel of softened water.

Piney Flats, Tennessee · Sullivan County

3 PPM

0.2 GPG

Soft

0Soft60120180300+

Estimated — Nearby Data

Dataset updated March 9, 2026Matched to 4 water systemsTap readings can vary by utility zone, treatment, and plumbing. Methodology

Source context

How this ZIP reading is built

This ZIP reading is built from 4 matched water systems. When more than one system is matched, the displayed value is weighted toward larger known service populations when that data is available.

Source basis

4 estimated sources

This ZIP reading needs local confirmation before equipment sizing or purchase decisions.

Water source profile

Primarily surface water

Surface-water hardness can shift with reservoirs, runoff, season, and treatment. This profile is weighted by known population served across matched systems.

Data recency

March 9, 2026

Dataset rebuilt March 9, 2026; individual utility reporting years can vary.

Hardness is a mineral-content reading, not a drinking-water safety rating. Use it for scale, appliance, and softener decisions; check your utility report or test your tap before sizing treatment equipment. See how we calculate local readings.

Water Systems Serving 37686

These are the systems matched to this ZIP code. The displayed ZIP value is weighted toward larger known service populations when population data is available.

4 water systems

PWSID is the public water system identifier. Data Source shows whether the hardness value comes from a treated-water report, USGS monitoring, or a local estimate; source year is shown when available.

Water System	Source	Hardness	Pop. Served	Data Source
Kingsport Water Dept TN0000349	surface water	3 PPM Soft	106,765	Estimated — Nearby Data
Bristol Department Of Utilities TN0000073	surface water	3 PPM Soft	37,648	Estimated — County Avg
Blountville Utility District TN0000058	surface water	3 PPM Soft	15,647	Estimated — Nearby Data
Bloomingdale Utility District TN0000056	surface water	3 PPM Soft	13,318	Estimated — Nearby Data

Kingsport Water Dept

TN0000349

Soft

3 PPMsurface water106,765 servedEstimated — Nearby Data

Bristol Department Of Utilities

TN0000073

Soft

3 PPMsurface water37,648 servedEstimated — County Avg

Blountville Utility District

TN0000058

Soft

3 PPMsurface water15,647 servedEstimated — Nearby Data

Bloomingdale Utility District

TN0000056

Soft

3 PPMsurface water13,318 servedEstimated — Nearby Data

Nearby Zip Codes

376943 376173 3761530 3760130 376183 376633 3761430 376643 3760430 376433 376603 3765930

What This Means For You

Recommendations are based on the displayed ZIP hardness reading. Confirm your tap reading before sizing or buying treatment equipment.

Your Water Is Soft

Your water hardness is in the soft range. You likely don't need a water softener. Enjoy your naturally soft water!

Know your water hardness?

If you've tested your water or have your utility's CCR report, share your reading to help us improve accuracy for Piney Flats, TN (37686).

Submit Your Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water hard in Piney Flats, TN (37686)?

Our estimate for 37686 is 3 PPM (0.2 GPG), but it is based on nearby, county, or state-level data rather than a direct treated tap-water report for this exact location. Confirm with your utility or a home test.

Do I need a water softener in 37686?

Do not size a softener from this estimate alone. Confirm the actual tap-water hardness before choosing treatment equipment.

Is hard water in 37686 safe to drink?

Water hardness itself is a mineral-content reading, not a drinking-water safety rating. Calcium and magnesium are naturally occurring minerals, but you should check your utility's Consumer Confidence Report for contaminant and compliance information.

How many water systems serve 37686?

Zip code 37686 in Piney Flats, Tennessee is served by 4 water systems.

Learn More About Your Water

Water Hardness Scale: PPM and GPG Chart

Use the USGS water hardness scale to compare PPM, GPG, and mg/L levels from soft to very hard water.

10 min read

How to Test Water Hardness at Home

Compare free lookups, soap tests, test strips, liquid drop kits, and lab tests for measuring water hardness.

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