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
176–200 of 403Old Knoxville Hwy U.d.
TN0000530 · 8,296 served
Erin Water Department
TN0000230 · 8,239 served
Dewhite Utility District
TN0000190 · 8,219 served
Newbern Water Dept
TN0000496 · 8,098 served
Ripley Water System
TN0000580 · 8,030 served
Minor Hill Water U.d.
TN0000469 · 8,021 served
Maynardville Water Dept
TN0000442 · 7,940 served
Bangham Utility District
TN0000038 · 7,906 served
Metro Lynchburg/moore Co U.d. #1
TN0000416 · 7,895 served
Tn American - Sequatchie Valley
TN0000749 · 7,842 served
Baxter Water Department
TN0000040 · 7,781 served
Tellico Plains Water Dept
TN0000693 · 7,759 served
Signal Mountain Water System
TN0000634 · 7,714 served
South Fork Utility District
TN0000644 · 7,645 served
First U.d. of Hardin County
TN0000546 · 7,388 served
South Pittsburg Water System
TN0000651 · 7,304 served
Smithville Water System
TN0000637 · 7,049 served
Fairview Utility District
TN0000563 · 7,036 served
Nsa - Midsouth
TN0000468 · 7,000 served
South Giles Utility District
TN0000649 · 6,985 served
Center Grove-winchester Springs
TN0000101 · 6,916 served
Sylvia-tn City-pond U.d.
TN0000691 · 6,738 served
Double Springs U.d.
TN0000192 · 6,567 served
Union Fork-bakewell U.d.
TN0000037 · 6,464 served
Decatur Water Dept
TN0000183 · 6,451 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
Old Knoxville Hwy U.d.
Violation history, PFAS records, and official source links
Erin Water Department
Violation history, PFAS records, and official source links
Dewhite Utility District
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