Arsenic in Drinking Water in Tennessee
What residents of Tennessee need to know about arsenic in drinking water — including natural geological sources, private well risk, which utilities have documented violations, and how to remove arsenic from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, USGS · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is arsenic in drinking water a concern in Tennessee?
Arsenic is a moderate concern in Tennessee, primarily in the eastern Appalachian portion of the state where crystalline bedrock geology creates conditions for naturally occurring arsenic in private wells, and in mining-impacted areas of northeastern Tennessee. Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau and Valley and Ridge geological regions have lower arsenic occurrence, but the Blue Ridge and Unaka Mountains in the far east share the same crystalline geology as the broader Appalachian system.
Where does arsenic come from in Tennessee's water?
Crystalline Appalachian bedrock in extreme eastern Tennessee — Carter, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington, and Sevier counties in the Blue Ridge and Unaka Mountains — is the primary arsenic pathway. Copper Basin mining in Polk County has documented arsenic from historic copper mining and smelting. Limestone karst geology in Middle Tennessee has lower arsenic risk, but some private well users in the Cumberland Plateau may encounter elevated concentrations.
What should Tennessee residents know?
Private well owners in far eastern Tennessee's mountain counties, particularly those in the Blue Ridge geology, should test for arsenic. The Copper Basin area of Polk County has documented historic contamination from copper mining and smelting. Tennessee TDEC monitors public water systems but private wells are unregulated.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL | 10 µg/L (10 ppb) |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary source | Appalachian crystalline bedrock (far eastern TN mountain counties); Copper Basin mining legacy (Polk County) |
| State regulator | Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) |
| Health effects | Bladder, lung, skin cancer; cardiovascular; diabetes risk |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) or activated alumina |
Why Arsenic Matters in Tennessee
Tennessee's arsenic profile is less severe than neighboring states to the north and east, but eastern Tennessee's Appalachian bedrock geology creates conditions similar to North Carolina and Virginia where arsenic is a documented private well concern. The Ducktown/Copper Basin area in Polk County has one of the most dramatic mining legacy landscapes in the eastern U.S. — acid mine drainage from copper mining has devastated the surrounding landscape, and arsenic is among the contaminants of concern.
Tennessee Arsenic Program
Tennessee TDEC monitors arsenic under federal SDWIS. Tennessee's geology includes arsenic-bearing sulfide minerals in the eastern Appalachian region and some arsenic in the Western Highland Rim. Private well owners in eastern Tennessee's coalfields and the Cumberland Plateau should test for arsenic. Tennessee's major population centers draw primarily from surface water with low natural arsenic.
Tennessee Utilities With Arsenic Violation Records
The utilities listed below have at least one arsenic violation on record in EPA's SDWIS database. Violations may be open or resolved — see individual utility pages for current status and risk level.
How Does Arsenic Get Into Drinking Water?
Arsenic in drinking water is almost always naturally occurring — it leaches from arsenic-bearing rocks and minerals into groundwater over time. New England granite, Southwest volcanic geology, and Upper Midwest glacial aquifers are the primary high-risk formations. It has no taste, odor, or color.
Full arsenic overview — geology maps, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Private well owners in far eastern Tennessee's Blue Ridge and Unaka Mountain counties (Carter, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington, Sevier, Blount), Copper Basin area residents in Polk County, and rural Cumberland Plateau private well users should prioritize arsenic testing.
Private well owners near mining districts or agricultural areas
Residents in states with documented volcanic or geothermal geology
Long-term consumers of water from small groundwater systems
Households in homes built before 1960 with older well casings
Residents whose well water has never been tested for arsenic
Anyone living in a state where bedrock wells are common
How to Check Your Situation in Tennessee
- 1
Identify your water source. If you use a public utility, use the ZIP lookup on this page to find your system and check its compliance record.
- 2
If on public water, review your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for arsenic monitoring data. The MCL is 10 ppb — your report should show recent test results.
- 3
If on a private well, order an arsenic test from a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation-certified laboratory. A basic arsenic test costs $15–$40. The state agency website maintains a certified lab list.
- 4
Test your well at the tap — not just at the wellhead. The entire water distribution system within your home can affect water quality.
- 5
If your test shows arsenic above 5 ppb, install certified treatment immediately. If above 10 ppb, do not use the water for drinking or cooking until treatment is installed.
- 6
Retest after installing treatment to confirm it is working as certified. Replace filter media on the manufacturer's schedule — an exhausted filter may not perform as rated.
Treatment Options for Arsenic
Boiling does not remove arsenic — it concentrates it. Standard activated carbon filters (Brita, etc.) do not effectively remove arsenic. Certified treatment is required.
NSF/ANSI Standard 58 — Reverse Osmosis
RO systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58 remove 85–95% of arsenic. Under-sink installation. Most effective for removing multiple contaminants simultaneously. Replace membranes and pre-filters on schedule.
Activated Alumina Filters
Activated alumina is specifically designed for arsenic and fluoride removal. Point-of-use or whole-house options available. Must be certified by NSF International or WQA for arsenic reduction. Requires periodic media regeneration or replacement.
Iron/Manganese Oxidation Filters
Effective for arsenic in iron-rich well water, which is common in the Midwest and New England. Oxidation converts dissolved iron and arsenic to a form that can be filtered out. Best when arsenic is co-occurring with high iron levels.
What does NOT work for arsenic
Standard activated carbon filters (Brita, refrigerator filters, most pitcher filters) do NOT effectively remove arsenic. Boiling concentrates arsenic. Water softeners do not remove arsenic. Only use products with NSF certification specifically for arsenic reduction.
Take Action Now
If you use a private well in Tennessee, test for arsenic — especially if you are in a region with granite, volcanic, or sedimentary geology. A basic arsenic test costs $15–$40 at a state-certified lab.
Public water users: check your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for arsenic results. The EPA MCL is 10 ppb — any detection warrants attention.
If arsenic is detected above 10 ppb (or even below it, given MCLG is zero), install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system for drinking and cooking water.
Standard carbon filters do NOT remove arsenic — do not rely on a Brita or refrigerator filter for arsenic protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
Arsenic — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with arsenic records
Tennessee State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Tennessee Well Water Guide
Testing, risks & certified labs for private wells
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 85–95% of arsenic
Best Arsenic Filter Guide
What actually works (carbon doesn't)
PFAS in Drinking Water
The 'forever chemical' contamination overview
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Find Your Utility
State Regulator
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation ↗