WaterVerge

Is Michie, TN Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: TN0000454
Overall Score
94.5 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#11 of 299 in Tennessee Top 3% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
94.5/100
waterverge.com
A 94.5/100

Michie, TN — Water Quality Report

Michie's drinking water received a grade of A (94.5 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,825 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 2.4 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 6 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

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

What to know about Michie's water

Michie ranks #11 out of 299 cities in Tennessee for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

Michie 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, Michie may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
94.5 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.5/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 2.4 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Michie, TN water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Michie's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (94.5/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,825 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
2.4 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Michie

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Michie's water quality assessment. Grade: A (94.5/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4427). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

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

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Asbestos.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.4 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Michie's water system has 6 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.

MR
Most recent violations:
Apr 2005 Chlorine Resolved
Nov 2002 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jan 1995 Asbestos Resolved
May 1992 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Mar 1991 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

McNairy County has experienced 3 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.

SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4427
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3217
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-459

Where does Michie's water come from?

Michie's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,825 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Michie residents can do

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Michie's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

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
2.4 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 16% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

6
Total violations
0
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Apr 2005
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

6 Total
1 Active
0 Health-based
5 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
3
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Inorganic Chemicals
1
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Apr 2005 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2005
Nov 2002 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2002
Jan 1995 Resolved
Asbestos
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
May 1992 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 1992
Mar 1991 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 1991
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Michie

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 50,599 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
PACKAGING CORP OF AMERICA COUNCE MILL
Paper · PACKAGING CORP OF AMERICA
COUNCE, TN38326
Manganese And Manganese Compounds50,5995.7 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

McNairy 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.

5
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
7.4%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
5
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

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

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

3
Declared disasters
Apr 2019
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

McNairy County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Apr 2019
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4427
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) 2.4 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 0.6 ppb from 1993 (3.0 ppb) to 2025 (2.4 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,825
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Michie's water comes from

Groundwater

Michie'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 2,825 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Michie

System Name PWSID Population Source
MICHIE WATER DEPT TN0000454 2,825 GW
Regional Comparison

How Michie compares

Full Tennessee rankings →

Michie's score of 94.5/100 is above the average of 75/100 among major Tennessee cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Michie (this city)
94.5
Memphis
66.2
Tennessee avg
75
City Profile

About Michie, TN

Wikipedia →

Michie is a town in McNairy County, Tennessee. The population was 591 at the 2010 census and 679 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$52,222
Median Income
$152,974
Median Home Value
$714/mo
Median Rent
6%
Unemployment
Community
51.7
Median Age
36
People / sq mi
10%
College Educated
86.4%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Michie, TN tap water safe to drink?

Michie's water quality earned a grade of A (94.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #11 out of 299 cities tested in Tennessee.

What contaminants are in Michie's water?

Lead was measured at 2.4 ppb (90th percentile). 6 violations are on record.

How is Michie'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 Michie?

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

Where does Michie's water come from?

Michie's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,825 residents.

Is Michie's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Michie 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 6 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 Michie's water compare to other cities?

Michie ranks #11 out of 299 cities in Tennessee (better than 96% of state cities) and #480 out of 15744 cities nationally (97th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Michie's small water system affect quality?

Michie's system serves approximately 2,825 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 6 violations on record.