WaterVerge

Is Rossville, 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 ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: TN0000597
Overall Score
86.2 / 100
Violations
4 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#149 of 299 in Tennessee Top 31% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
86.2/100
waterverge.com
A- 86.2/100

Rossville, TN — Water Quality Report

Rossville's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,297 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.4 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 8 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Rossville's water

Rossville ranks #149 out of 299 cities in Tennessee for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
86.2 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
41.2/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.4 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 Rossville, TN water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Rossville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,297 residents using groundwater (wells).

4
Active Violations
0.4 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 event
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Rossville

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Rossville's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Chlorine, Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

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

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.4 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Rossville's water system has 8 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMONMR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2023 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2022 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jul 2022 Chlorine Resolved
Jul 2022 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2021 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Fayette County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Wolf River.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3217

Where does Rossville's water come from?

Rossville's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,297 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Wolf River (river).

What Rossville residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Rossville'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
0.4 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 3% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

8
Total violations
0
Health-based
4
Active / unresolved
Jul 2023
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

8 Total
4 Active
0 Health-based
4 Resolved
Violations by category
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Revised Total Coliform Rule
2
Lead and Copper Rule
2
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Total Coliform Rule
1
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Nov 2018 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 1994 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2022 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Jul 2022
Jul 2022 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2022
Jan 2021 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Jan 2021
Aug 1992 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 1992
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Rossville

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 0 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
MMC MATERIALS INC - ROSSVILLE PLANT
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · MMC MATERIALS INC
ROSSVILLE, TN38066
Lead02.8 mi
CARRIER CORP - COLLIERVILLE
Machinery · CARRIER CORP
COLLIERVILLE, TN38017
8.3 mi
STABILIT AMERICA INC.
Plastics and Rubber · NA
MOSCOW, TN38057
9.6 mi
AOC TENNESSEE PLANT
Chemicals · ALPHA CORP
COLLIERVILLE, TN38017
5.0 mi
CHEMSTATION MID-SOUTH
Chemicals · CHEMSTATION INTERNATIONAL INC
COLLIERVILLE, TN38017
6.1 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Rossville

Superfund sites nearby

Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.

Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D1 — moderate drought

Fayette County is currently in D1 (moderate 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.

10.4%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
3
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

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

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

1
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Fayette County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3217

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.4 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 (1.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.4 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,297
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Rossville's water comes from

Groundwater

Rossville'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 1,297 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Rossville

Rossville is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Wolf River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Rossville

System Name PWSID Population Source
ROSSVILLE WATER SYSTEM TN0000597 1,297 GW
Regional Comparison

How Rossville compares

Full Tennessee rankings →

Rossville's score of 86.2/100 is above the average of 75/100 among major Tennessee cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.

Rossville (this city)
86.2
Memphis
66.2
Tennessee avg
75
City Profile

About Rossville, TN

Wikipedia →

Rossville is a town in Fayette County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,041 at the 2020 census, up from 664 at the 2010 census.

Economic Profile
$117,500
Median Income
$372,365
Median Home Value
$763/mo
Median Rent
9%
Unemployment
Community
51.4
Median Age
84
People / sq mi
33.7%
College Educated
85.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Rossville, TN tap water safe to drink?

Rossville's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #149 out of 299 cities tested in Tennessee.

What contaminants are in Rossville's water?

Lead was measured at 0.4 ppb (90th percentile). 8 violations are on record.

How is Rossville'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 Rossville?

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

Where does Rossville's water come from?

Rossville's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,297 residents.

Is Rossville's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Rossville 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 8 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 Rossville's water compare to other cities?

Rossville ranks #149 out of 299 cities in Tennessee (better than 50% of state cities) and #4874 out of 15744 cities nationally (69th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Rossville's small water system affect quality?

Rossville's system serves approximately 1,297 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 8 violations on record.