PFAS in Drinking Water in Tennessee
What residents of Tennessee need to know about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water — including contamination sources, which utilities have documented violations, and how to filter PFAS from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is PFAS in drinking water a real concern in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee has PFAS contamination from Arnold AFB in Coffee County (a major Air Force test facility), Fort Campbell on the Kentucky border, and industrial sources in the Nashville and Knoxville corridors. Arnold AFB's rocket and jet engine testing operations have involved AFFF, and the surrounding Highland Rim watershed has documented PFAS from these activities.
Where does PFAS come from in Tennessee?
Arnold AFB in Coffee County — the nation's largest flight test center — is Tennessee's primary military PFAS source. Engine test cell operations have used AFFF fire suppression, contaminating local groundwater and Duck River tributary systems. Fort Campbell's Clarksville area (straddling the Tennessee-Kentucky border) adds additional PFAS loading from AFFF. Industrial facilities in the Nashville corridor — including manufacturing and airport fire training — contribute additional PFAS.
What should Tennessee residents know?
Coffee County residents near Arnold AFB, Clarksville area residents near Fort Campbell operations, and private well users in middle Tennessee's rural counties face the most direct risk. The Duck River — a critical drinking water source for multiple middle Tennessee communities — should be monitored for PFAS upstream contributions from Arnold AFB operations.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL (PFOA/PFOS) | 4 ppt — effective April 2024 |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary contamination sources | Arnold AFB (Coffee County — engine test facility), Fort Campbell (Montgomery County/Kentucky border) |
| Duck River concern | Arnold AFB PFAS may affect Duck River — drinking water source for multiple middle TN communities |
| State regulator | Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) |
| Health effects | Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune effects, developmental toxicity |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) or granular activated carbon certified for PFAS |
Why PFAS Matters in Tennessee
Arnold AFB's unique role as the Air Force's primary jet and rocket engine test facility means it has used AFFF fire suppression systems more extensively than typical air bases. The facility's location in middle Tennessee's karst limestone geology raises concerns about PFAS migration through the fractured rock aquifer system. The Duck River, which flows near the base and provides drinking water for communities downstream including Shelbyville and Tullahoma, has been monitored for PFAS. Tennessee TDEC has expanded its PFAS testing program under UCMR5 and is working with affected utilities on treatment options.
Tennessee PFAS Regulation
Tennessee TDEC participates in UCMR5 monitoring and has assessed PFAS at Arnold AFB (Coffee County), McGhee Tyson Airport (Knoxville area), and industrial sites in the Tennessee Valley. The Tennessee Valley Authority's extensive infrastructure and the historic Oak Ridge National Laboratory area create additional industrial contaminant concerns. Tennessee follows the federal MCL with no additional state standard.
Largest Tennessee Water Utilities
No PFAS violations on record in EPA SDWIS for Tennessee utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
What Are PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and AFFF firefighting foam. Their carbon-fluorine bonds do not break down in the environment or the body — hence the name “forever chemicals.” AFFF used at military bases is the single largest source of PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Full PFAS overview — national data, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Tullahoma, Manchester, and rural Coffee County residents near Arnold AFB face the most direct risk. Clarksville and Montgomery County residents near Fort Campbell operations, and communities drawing water from the Duck River downstream of Arnold AFB, should monitor available PFAS data.
Residents near military bases with AFFF use history
Private well owners near military or industrial sites
Pregnant residents and families with young children
Residents in communities with documented PFAS detections
Anyone who has consumed water above 4 ppt for an extended period
Residents near airports, fire training areas, or industrial manufacturers
How to Check Your Situation in Tennessee
- 1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or by browsing the Tennessee utility directory on this site.
- 2
Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it must report PFAS monitoring results under UCMR5 and the new MCL.
- 3
Check the EPA's ECHO database for your utility's monitoring history. Look for PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and related compound results.
- 4
Contact your utility directly and ask for their most recent PFAS test results and whether they are implementing treatment under the 2024 MCL.
- 5
If you use a private well near a military base, airport, or industrial facility, order a PFAS panel test from a state-certified laboratory. Tests typically cost $150–$400.
- 6
If PFAS is detected above 4 ppt in your source water, install a certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filter rated for PFAS removal.
How to Remove PFAS from Tap Water
Reverse Osmosis (Best)
90–99% removal — NSF/ANSI 58 certified systems only
Certified Activated Carbon
Effective with NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification — verify before buying
Boiling concentrates PFAS. Standard pitcher filters and water softeners do not remove PFAS. Always verify NSF certification before purchasing.
Take Action Now
Look up your Tennessee utility's PFAS monitoring history on the PFAS Watchlist below.
If your utility has detected PFAS above 4 ppt, install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system at your drinking tap.
Private well owners near military or industrial sites should order a PFAS panel test ($150–$400 at a state-certified lab).
Request your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report — PFAS results must be disclosed under the new 2024 MCL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
PFAS — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with PFAS records
Tennessee PFAS Watchlist
Live utility PFAS monitoring data
Tennessee State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 90–99% of PFAS
Activated Carbon Filter Guide
NSF/ANSI 53/58 certified options for PFAS
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Another priority contaminant
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
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Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation ↗