Copper in Tennessee Drinking Water
Ranked by 90th percentile copper level (mg/L) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR
Copper in Tennessee: what the data shows
Tennessee has 33 cities with copper monitoring data. The state average 90th percentile copper level is 22.772 mg/L, compared to 28.808 mg/L nationally — better than the national average. 33 cities exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L. Copper in drinking water typically comes from corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, particularly in older homes. The EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L is the 90th percentile threshold — if more than 10% of tap samples exceed it, utilities must take corrective action including adjusting water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. Short-term copper exposure above the action level can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure at elevated levels is associated with liver and kidney damage. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use and using an NSF 53-certified filter can reduce copper exposure.
Cities exceeding 1.3 mg/L EPA Action Level
Copper data across Tennessee
Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with copper levels above the 1.3 mg/L EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.
Top 10 cities by copper level in Tennessee
Highest Copper levels (mg/L)
All Tennessee cities ranked by copper level
| # | City | Level | Level | Exceeds? | Violations | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lenoir City | 635.000 mg/L | Yes | 3 | B- | |
| 2 | Sparta | 38.000 mg/L | Yes | 6 | B+ | |
| 3 | Hohenwald | 13.900 mg/L | Yes | 0 | B | |
| 4 | Ardmore | 4.130 mg/L | Yes | 0 | F | |
| 5 | Copperhill | 4.095 mg/L | Yes | 26 | B | |
| 6 | Trenton | 3.260 mg/L | Yes | 3 | B | |
| 7 | St Joseph | 2.800 mg/L | Yes | 2 | B- | |
| 8 | Wartrace | 2.700 mg/L | Yes | 4 | B | |
| 9 | Wartrace | 2.700 mg/L | Yes | 4 | B | |
| 10 | Bell Buckle | 2.700 mg/L | Yes | 2 | B | |
| 11 | Toone | 2.500 mg/L | Yes | 0 | A- | |
| 12 | Bells | 2.440 mg/L | Yes | 2 | B+ | |
| 13 | Chattanooga | 2.328 mg/L | Yes | 25 | C+ | |
| 14 | Bakewell | 2.260 mg/L | Yes | 0 | A- | |
| 15 | Watertown | 2.200 mg/L | Yes | 8 | B+ | |
| 16 | Summertown | 2.190 mg/L | Yes | 3 | B- | |
| 17 | Huntland | 1.900 mg/L | Yes | 42 | B+ | |
| 18 | Alamo | 1.801 mg/L | Yes | 3 | B+ | |
| 19 | Crocket Mills | 1.801 mg/L | Yes | 1 | A- | |
| 20 | Crocket Mills | 1.801 mg/L | Yes | 1 | A- | |
| 21 | Mount Pleasant | 1.800 mg/L | Yes | 4 | A- | |
| 22 | Big Sandy | 1.800 mg/L | Yes | 0 | A- | |
| 23 | Butler | 1.800 mg/L | Yes | 9 | B+ | |
| 24 | Nolensville | 1.760 mg/L | Yes | 8 | B | |
| 25 | Mountain City | 1.620 mg/L | Yes | 51 | C | |
| 26 | Sharon | 1.620 mg/L | Yes | 0 | B | |
| 27 | Estill Springs | 1.600 mg/L | Yes | 66 | B | |
| 28 | Mckenzie | 1.600 mg/L | Yes | 0 | B+ | |
| 29 | Cowan | 1.600 mg/L | Yes | 1 | A- | |
| 30 | Tennessee Ridge | 1.510 mg/L | Yes | 0 | A | |
| 31 | Germantown | 1.500 mg/L | Yes | 0 | A- | |
| 32 | Georgetown | 1.400 mg/L | Yes | 2 | B | |
| 33 | Ardmore | 1.356 mg/L | Yes | 0 | F |
Frequently asked questions about copper in Tennessee
Is copper in Tennessee drinking water safe?
33 cities in Tennessee exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L for copper. The state average is 22.772 mg/L. Copper levels are highest in homes with copper plumbing, particularly when water sits in pipes overnight. Flushing the tap before use significantly reduces copper in drinking water.
What causes high copper levels in Tennessee tap water?
Copper typically leaches from copper pipes and brass fittings within homes, not from the water source itself. Corrosive (low pH or soft) water accelerates this leaching. Water utilities with high copper readings are required to adjust water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use.