State Hub
Tennessee Water Quality
403
Utilities in database
7.8M
Residents served
0
With open violations
275
PFAS monitored
Quick Answer
Tennessee public drinking water is served by 403 EPA-tracked water systems, providing service to approximately 7.8 million residents through public utilities. No open health-based violations are currently recorded across tracked systems in the EPA federal database. 275 systems have official PFAS monitoring records from the EPA UCMR 5 program (2023–2025). About 22% of TN residents use private wells, which fall outside federal utility compliance monitoring.
No open health-based violations are currently recorded in the EPA SDWIS database for Tennessee's tracked water systems. Always verify with your utility's Consumer Confidence Report for annual test results.
Drinking Water in Tennessee
Tennessee has 403 community water systems serving approximately 7.8 million residents. Primary water sources include surface water. The most commonly reported contaminants include disinfection byproducts, nitrates. 22% of Tennessee residents rely on private wells. TDEC holds primary enforcement authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Safest Large Utilities
Tennessee systems with no open health violations serving 10,000+ residents.
Utilities in Tennessee
1–25 of 403Metro Water Services
TN0000494 · 778,153 served
Memphis Light, Gas, & Water
TN0000450 · 659,500 served
Knoxville Utilities Board - Kub
TN0000366 · 254,671 served
Clarksville Water Department
TN0000116 · 251,864 served
Consolidated U.d. of Rutherford Co
TN0000791 · 221,871 served
Tennessee American Water
TN0000107 · 207,046 served
White House Utility District
TN0000745 · 130,411 served
First U.d. of Knox County
TN0000369 · 115,531 served
Murfreesboro Water Department
TN0000491 · 111,365 served
Kingsport Water Dept
TN0000349 · 107,739 served
Johnson City Water Dept
TN0000331 · 105,057 served
Cleveland Utilities
TN0000117 · 95,087 served
Jackson Water System
TN0000299 · 91,111 served
West Wilson Utility District
TN0000743 · 86,978 served
Columbia Power and Water Systems
TN0000128 · 84,617 served
Hallsdale-powell U.d.
TN0000280 · 84,315 served
Madison Suburban U.d.
TN0000424 · 81,203 served
West Knox Utility District
TN0000371 · 77,825 served
Franklin Water Dept
TN0000246 · 77,222 served
Water Auth of Dickson County
TN0000191 · 68,675 served
Hixson Utility District
TN0000303 · 68,306 served
Gallatin Water Department
TN0000253 · 65,964 served
Spring Hill Water Dept
TN0000667 · 65,840 served
Harpeth Valley U.d.
TN0000286 · 65,518 served
Smyrna Water System
TN0000639 · 60,876 served
Key Contaminant Concerns in Tennessee
These contaminants appear most frequently in Tennessee utility records or pose elevated risk in this region based on EPA data.
Nitrates
Nitrate (NO₃⁻) is a nitrogen-containing compound that forms naturally through the decomposition of organic matter. At elevated concentrations — almost always caused by human activity — nitrate is converted in the digestive system to nitrite, which then reacts with hemoglobin to form methemoglobin, a form of hemoglobin that cannot carry oxygen. In the body, nitrite also reacts with amines in food to form N-nitroso compounds (nitrosamines) — known carcinogens classified by the IARC as Group 2A (probable human carcinogens). The United States applies over 23 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer annually, making agricultural runoff the dominant source of nitrate contamination in U.S. groundwater.
EPA limit: 10 mg/L
DBPs
When utilities add chlorine to water to kill pathogens, it reacts with dissolved organic matter — leaves, algae, soil — to produce disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Over 600 DBPs have been identified. The EPA regulates two groups: total trihalomethanes (TTHMs, including chloroform) and haloacetic acids (HAA5). DBP levels tend to be highest in surface water systems and in warm months when organic matter is elevated.
EPA limit: 80 µg/L (TTHMs) / 60 µg/L (HAA5)
City Water Reports in Tennessee
Tap water quality pages for Tennessee cities — violations, PFAS records, utility profiles, and official source links.
Independent Water Testing
Find a certified lab in Tennessee
Utility compliance records show what water systems report to the EPA. An independent test from a certified laboratory confirms what's actually in your tap water. Tennessee labs can test for PFAS, lead, nitrates, bacteria, and dozens of other contaminants.
Explore Water Quality in Tennessee
Metro Water Services
Violation history, PFAS records, and official source links
Memphis Light, Gas, & Water
Violation history, PFAS records, and official source links
Knoxville Utilities Board - Kub
Violation history, PFAS records, and official source links
PFAS monitoring records — Tennessee
275 water systems in Tennessee with EPA UCMR 5 records
Lead in Tennessee drinking water
State-specific lead data, violation utilities, and testing guidance
PFAS in Tennessee drinking water
State-specific PFAS data, MCL context, and treatment options
Certified water testing labs in Tennessee
Labs certified for PFAS (EPA 533/537.1), lead, and bacteria testing
Water treatment options
Reverse osmosis, activated carbon, and filtration guides with cost ranges
Data sources and methodology
How WaterUtilityReport.com sources and validates official EPA data
Common Questions About Tennessee Drinking Water
Does Tennessee drinking water have PFAS?
275 Tennessee water systems have EPA UCMR 5 PFAS monitoring records (2023–2025)
Which Tennessee water utilities have open violations?
Browse Tennessee utility compliance records and violation history
How do I test my water in Tennessee?
State-certified labs for PFAS (EPA 533/537.1), lead, nitrate, and bacteria testing
What treatment removes PFAS from TN tap water?
Reverse osmosis removes PFAS, lead, arsenic, and nitrates — cost, maintenance, and NSF certification explained
What do Tennessee PFAS records tell me about my water?
EPA limits, health context, and what UCMR 5 detection above MRL means for your water
How is Tennessee water quality data sourced here?
EPA SDWIS violations, UCMR 5 PFAS records, and CCR data — sources, accuracy notes, and limitations
Tennessee Water FAQs
Data sources: Utility compliance and violation data from EPA SDWIS (Safe Drinking Water Information System). PFAS monitoring records from EPA UCMR 5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5, 2023–2025). Contaminant data from EPA and ATSDR public references. This page summarizes public records — it is not a compliance determination. Methodology →
Last updated: 2026-04-19