WaterVerge

Is Gleason, TN Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: TN0000265
Overall Score
85.8 / 100
Violations
4 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#154 of 299 in Tennessee Top 33% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
85.8/100
waterverge.com
A- 85.8/100

Gleason, TN — Water Quality Report

Gleason's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,753 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.3 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 7 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Gleason's water

Gleason ranks #154 out of 299 cities in Tennessee for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Gleason relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Gleason may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
85.8 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
40.8/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.3 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
3/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Gleason, TN water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Gleason's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (85.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,753 residents using groundwater (wells).

4
Active Violations
0.3 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
2 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Gleason

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Gleason's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (85.8/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3217). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-459). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Gleason's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.3 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Gleason's water system has 7 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMRMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2022 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2022 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Aug 2007 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Oct 1995 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Weakley County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3217
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-459

Where does Gleason's water come from?

Gleason's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,753 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Gleason residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Gleason's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.3 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 2% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

7
Total violations
2
Health-based
4
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

7 Total
4 Active
2 Health-based
3 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
3
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2022 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Aug 2007 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Aug 2007
Oct 1995 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1995
Sep 1995 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1995
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Gleason

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Gleason, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
REPUBLIC DOORS & FRAMES
Fabricated Metals · ALLEGION S & S HOLDING CO INC
MC KENZIE, TN38201
7.0 mi
USB TENNESSEE LLC
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · US BRICK HOLDINGS LLC
GLEASON, TN38229
0.9 mi
CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS INC.
Wood Products · CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS INC
DRESDEN, TN38225
4.1 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Weakley County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

8
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
5.0%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
10
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

2
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Weakley County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3217
Mar 1975
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #459

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.3 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 6.7 ppb from 1993 (7.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.3 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,753
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Gleason's water comes from

Groundwater

Gleason's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,753 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Gleason

System Name PWSID Population Source
GLEASON WATER DEPT TN0000265 1,753 GW
Regional Comparison

How Gleason compares

Full Tennessee rankings →

Gleason's score of 85.8/100 is above the average of 75/100 among major Tennessee cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.

Gleason (this city)
85.8
Memphis
66.2
Tennessee avg
75
City Profile

About Gleason, TN

Wikipedia →

Gleason is a town in Weakley County, Tennessee, United States. As of the 2020 census, Gleason had a population of 1,369. The city holds an annual Tater Town Parade and festival in the fall. Gleason is the hometown of Gordon Stoker, first tenor of the famous backup group The Jordanaires.

Economic Profile
$56,597
Median Income
$77,545
Median Home Value
$660/mo
Median Rent
0.8%
Unemployment
Community
41.4
Median Age
206
People / sq mi
20.6%
College Educated
75.3%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Gleason, TN tap water safe to drink?

Gleason's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #154 out of 299 cities tested in Tennessee.

What contaminants are in Gleason's water?

Lead was measured at 0.3 ppb (90th percentile). 7 violations are on record.

How is Gleason's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Gleason?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Gleason's water come from?

Gleason's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,753 residents.

What health violations has Gleason's water system had?

Gleason has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.

Is Gleason's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Gleason uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 7 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Gleason's water compare to other cities?

Gleason ranks #154 out of 299 cities in Tennessee (better than 48% of state cities) and #5107 out of 15744 cities nationally (68th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Gleason's small water system affect quality?

Gleason's system serves approximately 1,753 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 7 violations on record.