Strontium Contamination

Strontium in Tennessee Drinking Water

Ranked by max strontium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

112

Cities Tested

Over HRL

% Over HRL

178.7 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 3% vs national

vs National

227

Health Violations

Analysis

Strontium in Tennessee: what the data shows

Tennessee has 112 cities with strontium data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Strontium was detected above the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level in 3 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 178.7 µg/L. Strontium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in areas with limestone and dolomite geology. It can also enter water from industrial waste and mining operations. There is no federal MCL for strontium, but the EPA established a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L. Long-term exposure to strontium above the HRL may affect bone health, particularly in children, by substituting for calcium in developing bones. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1,500 µg/L EPA HRL (no MCL)

Tennessee

3 of 112 cities

← ▼ 3% below national rate (better)

National avg

250 of 4371 cities

City Map

Strontium data across Tennessee

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 strontium testing data. Cities where strontium exceeds the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by strontium level in Tennessee

Highest Strontium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Tennessee cities ranked by strontium level

#	City	Level	Over HRL?	Violations	Grade
1	Lake City	2200.0 µg/L	Over HRL	2	B-
2	Selmer	2100.0 µg/L	Over HRL	1	A-
3	Cowan	1814.7 µg/L	Over HRL	1	A-
4	Erwin	768.0 µg/L	No	27	A-
5	Nolensville	750.0 µg/L	No	8	B
6	Elizabethton	550.0 µg/L	No	27	D
7	Knoxville	520.0 µg/L	No	36	C-
8	Etowah	375.1 µg/L	No	5	D+
9	Tellico Plains	375.1 µg/L	No	0	B-
10	Springfield	320.0 µg/L	No	7	A
11	Cedar Hill	304.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
12	Cedar Hill	304.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
13	Dyersburg	240.0 µg/L	No	2	A
14	Mcminnville	210.0 µg/L	No	8	B+
15	Lebanon	190.0 µg/L	No	21	C-
16	Murfreesboro	160.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
17	Kingsport	160.0 µg/L	No	6	B
18	Church Hill	160.0 µg/L	No	4	A-
19	La Follette	150.0 µg/L	No	15	D+
20	La Follette	150.0 µg/L	No	15	D+
21	Erin	143.5 µg/L	No	25	B+
22	Bristol	140.3 µg/L	No	12	B-
23	Franklin	140.0 µg/L	No	25	C+
24	Cleveland	140.0 µg/L	No	58	B
25	Franklin	140.0 µg/L	No	12	B-
26	Newport	140.0 µg/L	No	3	A
27	Portland	140.0 µg/L	No	5	A
28	Morristown	136.8 µg/L	No	6	B
29	Atoka	131.4 µg/L	No	5	A-
30	Hendersonville	130.0 µg/L	No	8	A-
31	Hendersonville	130.0 µg/L	No	4	A+
32	Dickson	130.0 µg/L	No	1	A
33	Spring Hill	130.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
34	Fayetteville	130.0 µg/L	No	2	D
35	Brentwood	130.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
36	Winchester	130.0 µg/L	No	7	A-
37	Clinton	130.0 µg/L	No	1	A
38	Blountville	130.0 µg/L	No	0	A+
39	Monteagle	128.7 µg/L	No	6	B
40	Talbott	126.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
41	Knoxville	124.0 µg/L	No	1	A
42	Columbia	122.6 µg/L	No	9	B+
43	Russellville	121.9 µg/L	No	0	A+
44	Nashville	120.0 µg/L	No	5	C+
45	Clarksville	120.0 µg/L	No	8	B
46	Jackson	120.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
47	Madison	120.0 µg/L	No	1	A
48	Hixson	120.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
49	Gallatin	120.0 µg/L	No	1	A
50	Oak Ridge	120.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
51	Pleasant View	120.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
52	Greeneville	111.5 µg/L	No	50	C-
53	Minor Hill	110.9 µg/L	No	31	C-
54	Mount Juliet	110.0 µg/L	No	4	A+
55	Mount Juliet	110.0 µg/L	No	4	A+
56	Smyrna	110.0 µg/L	No	9	A-
57	Lavergne	110.0 µg/L	No	9	B+
58	Smithville	110.0 µg/L	No	6	C+
59	New Tazewell	110.0 µg/L	No	3	B+
60	Paris	110.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
61	Livingston	110.0 µg/L	No	10	A-
62	Bethpage	110.0 µg/L	No	10	A
63	Cookeville	105.4 µg/L	No	4	B+
64	Johnson City	103.7 µg/L	No	0	A
65	Lewisburg	100.0 µg/L	No	3	B+
66	Soddy-Daisy	100.0 µg/L	No	2	A
67	Jacksboro	100.0 µg/L	No	7	D+
68	Pulaski	96.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
69	Lenoir City	95.1 µg/L	No	3	B-
70	Dandridge	93.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
71	Loudon	92.0 µg/L	No	5	B+
72	Union City	90.0 µg/L	No	0	A
73	Memphis	85.0 µg/L	No	4	C+
74	Sevierville	84.0 µg/L	No	11	D
75	Pigeon Forge	82.5 µg/L	No	1	A
76	Shelbyville	81.0 µg/L	No	28	C
77	Chattanooga	78.0 µg/L	No	25	C+
78	Harriman	76.0 µg/L	No	13	D+
79	Parsons	75.0 µg/L	No	15	C+
80	Harriman	74.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
81	Georgetown	73.9 µg/L	No	2	B
82	Counce	73.2 µg/L	No	11	B
83	Dayton	73.0 µg/L	No	11	B-
84	Savannah	66.0 µg/L	No	9	B+
85	Maryville	65.0 µg/L	No	9	A-
86	Alcoa	65.0 µg/L	No	4	A
87	Lawrenceburg	64.5 µg/L	No	1	B+
88	Lafayette	58.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
89	Covington	54.0 µg/L	No	4	A
90	Morrison	53.0 µg/L	No	7	A
91	Decatur	51.1 µg/L	No	42	A
92	Harvest	49.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
93	Harvest	49.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
94	Manchester	45.0 µg/L	No	2	D+
95	Jonesborough	44.0 µg/L	No	12	A-
96	Tullahoma	44.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
97	Crossville	43.0 µg/L	No	14	B+
98	Athens	41.7 µg/L	No	0	A
99	Bartlett	38.0 µg/L	No	0	A
100	Estill Springs	38.0 µg/L	No	66	B
101	Pikeville	37.0 µg/L	No	51	B
102	Sweetwater	36.0 µg/L	No	2	B
103	Madisonville	34.0 µg/L	No	6	A-
104	Toone	30.6 µg/L	No	0	A-
105	Jamestown	27.0 µg/L	No	21	B
106	Lexington	26.0 µg/L	No	11	A-
107	Oneida	24.0 µg/L	No	25	B+
108	Germantown	22.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
109	Brownsville	17.0 µg/L	No	0	A
110	Martin	16.0 µg/L	No	0	A
111	Huntsville	15.0 µg/L	No	0	A+
112	Collierville	14.0 µg/L	No	2	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about strontium in Tennessee

Is strontium in Tennessee tap water harmful?

Strontium at low levels is not considered harmful, but the EPA set a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L based on potential bone effects. 3 cities in Tennessee exceed this HRL. There is currently no federal MCL for strontium. Children may be more susceptible because strontium can substitute for calcium in developing bones.

How can I remove strontium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (water softener) systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water. Standard carbon filters are NOT effective. If your water comes from a well in an area with limestone or dolomite geology, consider testing for strontium.

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