WaterVerge

Is Trimbel, TN Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

776 residents served 1 water system PWSID: TN0000711
Overall Score
90.8 / 100
Violations
3 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#76 of 299 in Tennessee Top 13% nationally
Private
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
90.8/100
waterverge.com
A 90.8/100

Trimbel, TN — Water Quality Report

Trimbel's drinking water received a grade of A (90.8 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 776 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 2.7 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 9 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Trimbel's water

Trimbel ranks #76 out of 299 cities in Tennessee for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
90.8 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
42.3/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 2.7 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
18.5/20
A
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Trimbel, TN water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Trimbel's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A (90.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 776 residents using groundwater (wells).

3
Active Violations
2.7 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
6 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Trimbel

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Trimbel's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.8/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES

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

Disaster
FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3321). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.7 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Trimbel's water system has 9 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Nov 2008 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Oct 2008 Chlorine Resolved
Jul 2006 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Mar 1999 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Dyer County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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 Obion River.

SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4427
FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-3321
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3217

Where does Trimbel's water come from?

Trimbel's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 776 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Obion River (river).

What Trimbel residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Monitor alerts during storms

Trimbel'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
2.7 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 18% of limit
Safe Level
HAA5 (Disinfection Byproducts)
Disinfection Byproduct
Safe
1.7 µg/L
EPA MCL: 60 µg/L · 3% of limit
Within LimitUCMR 4 DataHAA6Br: 3.1 µg/LHAA9: 4.1 µg/L
Compliance Record

Violation summary

9
Total violations
0
Health-based
3
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

9 Total
3 Active
0 Health-based
6 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
3
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Inorganic Chemicals
1
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
1
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2006 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Nov 2008 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2008
Oct 2008 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2008
Mar 1999 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 1999
Jan 1998 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 1998
Jan 1995 Resolved
Asbestos
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jun 1980 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1984
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Dyer 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.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
8.6%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

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

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

6
Declared disasters
Apr 2019
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Dyer County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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
May 2011
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #3321
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3217
Jan 1991
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #889
Mar 1975
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #459
May 1973
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #382

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 2.7 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 0.3 ppb from 1993 (3.0 ppb) to 2025 (2.7 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Private
Population Served
776
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Trimbel's water comes from

Groundwater

Trimbel'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 private ownership and serves approximately 776 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Trimbel

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

Obion River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Trimbel

System Name PWSID Population Source
TRIMBLE WATER SYSTEM TN0000711 776 GW
Regional Comparison

How Trimbel compares

Full Tennessee rankings →

Trimbel's score of 90.8/100 is above the average of 75/100 among major Tennessee cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Trimbel (this city)
90.8
Memphis
66.2
Tennessee avg
75
City Profile

About Trimbel, TN

Wikipedia →

Newbern is a town in Dyer County, Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the town population was 3,349.

Economic Profile
$44,526
Median Income
$116,406
Median Home Value
$776/mo
Median Rent
2.7%
Unemployment
Community
33.3
Median Age
283
People / sq mi
23.1%
College Educated
59.6%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Trimbel, TN tap water safe to drink?

Trimbel's water quality earned a grade of A (90.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #76 out of 299 cities tested in Tennessee.

What contaminants are in Trimbel's water?

Lead was measured at 2.7 ppb (90th percentile). 9 violations are on record.

How is Trimbel'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 Trimbel?

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

Where does Trimbel's water come from?

Trimbel's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 776 residents.

Is Trimbel's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Trimbel 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 9 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 Trimbel's water compare to other cities?

Trimbel ranks #76 out of 299 cities in Tennessee (better than 75% of state cities) and #2054 out of 15744 cities nationally (87th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Trimbel's small water system affect quality?

Trimbel's system serves approximately 776 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 9 violations on record.