Arsenic Contamination

Arsenic in Tennessee Drinking Water

Ranked by arsenic violation count · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

1.7 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

227

Health Violations

Analysis

Arsenic in Tennessee: what the data shows

Tennessee has 95 cities with arsenic-related violations on record. Arsenic contamination is a federal MCL violation at levels above 10 µg/L (10 ppb). The state has 95 cities with at least one arsenic violation. Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through erosion of natural deposits, particularly in western states with arsenite-bearing geology. Industrial sources include mining runoff, glass manufacturing, and semiconductor production. Groundwater systems are significantly more likely to have arsenic issues than surface water systems. Long-term arsenic exposure above the MCL increases the risk of bladder, lung, and skin cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Reverse osmosis and specialized arsenic-removal media are the most effective point-of-use treatment options.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 µg/L EPA MCL

Tennessee

100%

95 of 95 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

5489 of 5489 cities

City Map

Arsenic data across Tennessee

Each dot is a city with arsenic violation data. Cities with at least one arsenic-related violation are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by arsenic level in Tennessee

Highest Arsenic levels (violations)

All Cities

All Tennessee cities ranked by arsenic level

#	City	Level	Violations?	Violations	Grade
1	Mountain City	8 violations	Yes	51	C
2	Alamo	7 violations	Yes	3	B+
3	Lebanon	6 violations	Yes	21	C-
4	Elizabethton	6 violations	Yes	27	D
5	Knoxville	5 violations	Yes	36	C-
6	Crossville	4 violations	Yes	14	B+
7	Sevierville	4 violations	Yes	11	D
8	Greeneville	3 violations	Yes	50	C-
9	Lake City	3 violations	Yes	2	B-
10	Oneida	3 violations	Yes	25	B+
11	Butler	3 violations	Yes	9	B+
12	Harriman	2 violations	Yes	13	D+
13	Lewisburg	2 violations	Yes	3	B+
14	Germantown	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
15	Newport	2 violations	Yes	3	A
16	Lenoir City	2 violations	Yes	3	B-
17	Harriman	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
18	Clinton	2 violations	Yes	1	A
19	Minor Hill	2 violations	Yes	31	C-
20	Ashland City	2 violations	Yes	4	A-
21	Gatlinburg	2 violations	Yes	3	B-
22	Rockwood	2 violations	Yes	3	A-
23	Dover	2 violations	Yes	29	C-
24	Newbern	2 violations	Yes	0	A
25	Whitwell	2 violations	Yes	28	B+
26	Monterey	2 violations	Yes	10	B-
27	Erin	2 violations	Yes	25	B+
28	Clifton	2 violations	Yes	14	C
29	Graysville	2 violations	Yes	5	B+
30	Mooresburg	2 violations	Yes	12	B+
31	Middleton	2 violations	Yes	7	D+
32	Hollow Rock	2 violations	Yes	1	A
33	Moscow	2 violations	Yes	1	B-
34	Iron City	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
35	Franklin	1 violations	Yes	25	C+
36	Kingsport	1 violations	Yes	6	B
37	Johnson City	1 violations	Yes	0	A
38	Franklin	1 violations	Yes	12	B-
39	Bristol	1 violations	Yes	12	B-
40	Oak Ridge	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
41	Fayetteville	1 violations	Yes	2	D
42	Jonesborough	1 violations	Yes	12	A-
43	Atoka	1 violations	Yes	5	A-
44	Athens	1 violations	Yes	0	A
45	Dayton	1 violations	Yes	11	B-
46	Portland	1 violations	Yes	5	A
47	Rogersville	1 violations	Yes	40	C-
48	Lafayette	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
49	Etowah	1 violations	Yes	5	D+
50	Madisonville	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
51	Vonore	1 violations	Yes	2	A
52	Sweetwater	1 violations	Yes	2	B
53	Lyles	1 violations	Yes	2	A
54	Wartburg	1 violations	Yes	1	A
55	Harrogate	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
56	Pikeville	1 violations	Yes	51	B
57	Gainesboro	1 violations	Yes	39	D
58	Hartsville	1 violations	Yes	20	B-
59	Altamont	1 violations	Yes	6	A
60	Elizabethon	1 violations	Yes	9	A-
61	Mount Pleasant	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
62	Maynardville	1 violations	Yes	80	C
63	South Pattsburg	1 violations	Yes	5	A
64	South Pattsburg	1 violations	Yes	5	A
65	Summertown	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
66	Ardmore	1 violations	Yes	0	F
67	Tracy City	1 violations	Yes	29	C
68	Celina	1 violations	Yes	1	A
69	Oliver Springs	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
70	Waynesboro	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
71	Obion	1 violations	Yes	3	B+
72	Moss	1 violations	Yes	11	B-
73	Henning	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
74	Monteagle	1 violations	Yes	6	B
75	Wartrace	1 violations	Yes	4	B
76	Wartrace	1 violations	Yes	4	B
77	South Fulton	1 violations	Yes	3	A
78	Ardmore	1 violations	Yes	0	F
79	Brighton	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
80	Hampton	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
81	Dyer	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
82	Bluff City	1 violations	Yes	4	B
83	Tiptonville	1 violations	Yes	0	A
84	Sneedville	1 violations	Yes	23	A-
85	Big Sandy	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
86	Kenton	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
87	Bruceton	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
88	Lavinia	1 violations	Yes	1	A
89	Lavinia	1 violations	Yes	1	A
90	Sharon	1 violations	Yes	0	B
91	Roan Mountain	1 violations	Yes	0	B
92	Sardis	1 violations	Yes	2	A
93	Petersburg	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
94	Bethel Springs	1 violations	Yes	1	A
95	Puryear	1 violations	Yes	4	B+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about arsenic in Tennessee

Is arsenic in Tennessee tap water a concern?

Yes — 95 cities in Tennessee have arsenic-related violations on record. The EPA MCL for arsenic is 10 µg/L. Even at levels below the MCL, long-term arsenic exposure has been linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease.

How can I remove arsenic from my drinking water in Tennessee?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing arsenic, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Specialized arsenic-removal media (such as iron-based adsorption filters) are also highly effective. Standard carbon filters and pitcher filters do NOT effectively remove arsenic. If your water comes from a private well, have it tested for arsenic.

Where does arsenic in Tennessee water come from?

Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through natural erosion of arsenic-bearing rock formations. It is most common in groundwater systems in the western United States, parts of the Midwest, and New England. Industrial sources include mining, smelting, and agricultural pesticide residues. Groundwater sources are far more likely to contain arsenic than surface water.

More contaminants