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Tennessee Water Quality Report

299 cities tested · Average grade: B+ · 8.4M people served

Cities Tested
299
Avg Score
82.8
Population Served
8.4M
Avg Grade
B+
Live Water Alerts for Tennessee →
Analysis

Tennessee water quality overview

Tennessee's drinking water quality is good overall, with an average score of 82.8 out of 100 across 299 cities tested. The median score is 86, serving a total population of 8,392,989 residents. 88% of cities earned an A or B grade, indicating broadly strong water quality infrastructure across the state. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in 80 of 299 cities tested (27%). 35 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. The state relies on a mix of water sources: 124 cities use groundwater while 172 draw from surface water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Concerns

Issues to watch in Tennessee

80 cities
PFAS Detected
27% of tested cities have PFAS in their water supply.
227 cities
Health Violations
12,544 total violations recorded, 293 with unresolved issues.
2 cities
Failing Systems
Received a grade of F, indicating serious water quality issues.
Contaminant Data

Explore contaminants in Tennessee

Lead in Tennessee → Ranked by 90th percentile level (ppb) PFAS in Tennessee → Ranked by compounds detected Copper in Tennessee → Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)

More contaminants tested in Tennessee

HAA5 → Chromium-6 → Arsenic → Nitrate → Strontium → 1,4-Dioxane → Manganese → Vanadium → Chlorate → Molybdenum → Cobalt → Lithium → NDMA → Perchlorate →
State context
19
Superfund sites in Tennessee
EPA National Priorities List
88.8%
of Tennessee residents on fluoridated water
CDC, 2020
3,154,063
lbs released to surface water
Top 10 TRI facilities, 2023
1.8%
of Tennessee domestic wells exceed EPA arsenic limit
USGS, 164 samples · 10 µg/L MCL
Domestic well chemistry

Private-well water in Tennessee

Based on USGS Powell Domestic-Well Database — 958 private wells sampled across Tennessee. These wells are not regulated by the EPA; if you draw your tap from a private well, the public-system grade above does not apply to you.

0.2 µg/L
Median arsenic in domestic wells
P90 3.0 µg/L · max 21.5 µg/L
12 µg/L
Median manganese in domestic wells
10.5% exceed 300 µg/L aesthetic limit
Industrial pollution

Top industrial water polluters in Tennessee

Industrial polluters nearby

The 10 facilities reporting the most pounds released to surface water in Tennessee, 2023.

Total reported releases to surface water: 3,154,063 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)
EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO TENNESSEE OPERATIONS
Chemicals · EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO
KINGSPORT, TN37660
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)1,102,945
TYSON FARMS INC. - UNION CITY PROCESSING
Food · TYSON FOODS INC
UNION CITY, TN38261
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)412,465
HOOD CONTAINER CORP
Paper · HOOD CONTAINER CORP
WAVERLY, TN37185
Ammonia396,099
US ARMY HOLSTON ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT
Other · US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
KINGSPORT, TN37660
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)292,239
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORP LOUDON MILL
Paper · KIMBERLY-CLARK CORP
LOUDON, TN37774
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)251,900

+ 5 more facilities

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Test your own tap

Get your Tennessee water tested

City-level data shows the source and infrastructure picture — but lead and other home-plumbing issues only show up at your tap. Find a state-certified lab, see what to test for, and what it costs.
Grade Distribution

How Tennessee cities scored

A: 173 B: 91 C: 18 D: 15 F: 2

Best Cities

  1. A+ Huntsville 98.8
  2. A+ Russellville 98
  3. A+ Blountville 97.9

Worst Cities

  1. F Ardmore 39.2
  2. F Ardmore 39.5
  3. D Sevierville 45.9
City Map

Water quality across Tennessee

Each dot is a city, colored by its water quality grade. Size reflects population served. Click any city to view its full water report.

All Cities

299 cities in Tennessee

Full rankings →
# City Grade Score Population Violations
1 Huntsville A+
98.8
13K 0
2 Russellville A+
98
20K 2
3 Blountville A+
97.9
16K 2
4 Halls A+
97
5K 5
5 Mount Juliet A+
96.7
87K 11
6 Mount Juliet A+
96.7
87K 11
7 Hendersonville A+
95.8
130K 7
8 Union City A
94.9
16K 5
9 Knoxville A
94.5
28K 9
10 Millington A
94.5
16K 14
11 Michie A
94.5
3K 6
12 New Johnsonville A
94.3
9K 8
13 Somerville A
94.3
5K 6
14 Tiptonville A
94.3
3K 9
15 Bartlett A
94.2
57K 6
16 Munford A
94.2
10K 9
17 Alcoa A
94.1
35K 12
18 Oakland A
94.1
15K 3
19 Altamont A
94.1
9K 39
20 Allons A
93.9
5K 12
21 Dresden A
93.9
3K 4
22 Sardis A
93.9
1K 13
23 Lavinia A
93.6
1K 46
24 Lavinia A
93.6
1K 46
25 Pigeon Forge A
93.5
15K 28
26 Covington A
93.4
23K 10
27 New Tazewell A
93.4
2K 27
28 Cartahage A
93.3
4K 15
29 Cartahage A
93.3
4K 15
30 Soddy-Daisy A
93.2
21K 19
31 Westmoreland A
93
6K 9
32 Lyles A
92.9
13K 22
33 Dyersburg A
92.8
28K 31
34 Athens A
92.8
26K 34
35 Sewanee A
92.8
6K 11
36 Newport A
92.7
35K 21
37 South Pattsburg A
92.7
7K 41
38 South Pattsburg A
92.7
7K 41
39 Collierville A
92.6
52K 32
40 Loretto A
92.4
5K 21
41 Clinton A
92.3
19K 21
42 Ripley A
92.3
17K 6
43 Unicoi A
92.3
5K 9
44 Newbern A
92.2
10K 32
45 Celina A
92.2
6K 31
46 Vonore A
92.1
15K 15
47 Hollow Rock A
92.1
954 36
48 Tennessee Ridge A
92
4K 5
49 Allardt A
92
4K 24
50 South Fulton A
92
4K 18
51 Madison A
91.9
81K 10
52 Kingston Springs Tn A
91.9
9K 8
53 Kingston Springs Tn A
91.9
9K 8
54 Leoma A
91.9
6K 10
55 Algood A
91.8
10K 13
56 Mohawk A
91.8
8K 7
57 Bethpage A
91.7
14K 20
58 Luttrell A
91.6
11K 10
59 Jasper A
91.6
10K 17
60 Piperton A
91.6
3K 4
61 Troy A
91.6
2K 3
62 Springfield A
91.5
43K 15
63 Woodbury A
91.5
11K 47
64 Decatur A
91.5
6K 44
65 Riceville A
91.5
4K 15
66 Gallaway A
91.5
1K 14
67 Brownsville A
91.4
15K 32
68 Baxter A
91.4
8K 21
69 Turtletown A
91.2
3K 35
70 Bethel Springs A
91.2
944 16
71 Portland A
91.1
24K 27
72 Rickman A
91.1
9K 13
73 Bradford A
91.1
1K 6
74 Ridgely A
91
2K 37
75 Vanleer A
90.8
4K 44
76 Trimbel A
90.8
776 9
77 Martin A
90.7
12K 2
78 Dickson A
90.5
73K 18
79 Gallatin A
90.5
66K 4
80 Morrison A
90.5
19K 15
81 Bean Station A
90.5
10K 13
82 Gates A
90.5
670 13
83 Adamsville A
90.3
10K 10
84 Niota A
90.3
4K 12
85 Wartburg A
90.1
12K 63
86 Johnson City A
90
105K 23
87 Lafayette A-
89.8
22K 30
88 Greenfield A-
89.7
2K 2
89 Pleasant View A-
89.5
19K 6
90 Church Hill A-
89.4
21K 22
91 Mosheim A-
89.4
2K 12
92 Winchester A-
89.3
25K 22
93 Springville A-
89.3
7K 3
94 Hornsby A-
89.3
892 5
95 Trezevant A-
89.2
955 2
96 Brighton A-
89.1
4K 21
97 Lobelville A-
89
5K 11
98 Englewood A-
89
4K 18
99 Trimbel A-
89
987 43
100 Stanton A-
89
631 14
101 Centerville A-
88.9
11K 42
102 Norris A-
88.9
2K 12
103 Milan A-
88.5
11K 6
104 Lynchburg A-
88.4
8K 44
105 Hampton A-
88.4
4K 24
106 Calhoun A-
88.4
3K 6
107 Iron City A-
88.4
729 29
108 Lexington A-
88.3
26K 44
109 Selmer A-
88.3
23K 17
110 Waynesboro A-
88.3
5K 55
111 Dyer A-
88.3
3K 14
112 Decaturville A-
88.3
2K 16
113 Petersburg A-
88.3
1K 19
114 Townsend A-
88.2
15K 20
115 Jonesborough A-
88.1
33K 30
116 Bruceton A-
88.1
2K 14
117 Pleasant Hill A-
87.9
6K 10
118 Mcewen A-
87.9
4K 14
119 Talbott A-
87.8
19K 2
120 Atoka A-
87.7
29K 34
121 Paris A-
87.6
16K 9
122 Ashland City A-
87.6
13K 47
123 Spring Hill A-
87.5
66K 7
124 Signal Mountain A-
87.5
18K 20
125 Mount Pleasant A-
87.5
9K 50
126 Maryville A-
87.3
138K 30
127 Clairfield A-
87.3
1K 44
128 Camden A-
87.2
10K 15
129 Friendsville A-
87.2
5K 16
130 Rutherford A-
87.2
1K 17
131 Bakewell A-
87.1
6K 11
132 Decherd A-
87.1
5K 24
133 Toone A-
87
720 7
134 Hornbreak A-
86.9
736 39
135 Henry A-
86.9
511 16
136 Hendersonville A-
86.8
189K 29
137 Hixson A-
86.8
68K 6
138 Oak Ridge A-
86.8
42K 14
139 Smyrna A-
86.6
61K 37
140 Benton A-
86.6
2K 43
141 Crocket Mills A-
86.6
767 11
142 Crocket Mills A-
86.6
767 11
143 Brentwood A-
86.5
32K 21
144 Big Sandy A-
86.4
2K 19
145 Harrogate A-
86.3
12K 63
146 Humboldt A-
86.3
10K 3
147 Erwin A-
86.2
12K 31
148 Maury City A-
86.2
1K 1
149 Rossville A-
86.2
1K 8
150 Greenbrier A-
86
9K 18
151 Henderson A-
85.8
9K 6
152 Huntington A-
85.8
6K 7
153 Huntington A-
85.8
6K 7
154 Gleason A-
85.8
2K 7
155 Cedar Hill A-
85.5
6K 28
156 Cedar Hill A-
85.5
6K 28
157 Scotts Hill A-
85.5
5K 7
158 Jackson A-
85.5
2K 6
159 Jackson A-
85.4
93K 13
160 Elizabethon A-
85.4
9K 64
161 Germantown A-
85.3
38K 83
162 Rockwood A-
85.3
11K 28
163 Sneedville A-
85.3
3K 69
164 Cowan A-
85.3
3K 11
165 Only A-
85.3
2K 42
166 Cumberland City A-
85.3
1K 13
167 Sauldbury A-
85.3
702 10
168 Sauldbury A-
85.3
702 10
169 Livingston A-
85.2
16K 27
170 Rutledge A-
85.2
2K 5
171 Madisonville A-
85.1
15K 43
172 Chapel Hill A-
85.1
3K 57
173 Surgoinsville A-
85
3K 24
174 New Johnsonville B+
84.9
12K 37
175 Linden B+
84.9
10K 20
176 Woodlawn B+
84.6
12K 17
177 Harvest B+
84.5
52K 11
178 Harvest B+
84.5
52K 11
179 Mcminnville B+
84.5
49K 22
180 Oneida B+
84.5
11K 55
181 Mooresburg B+
84.5
2K 54
182 Belvidere B+
84.5
2K 29
183 Friendship B+
84.5
904 17
184 Jefferson City B+
84.4
10K 25
185 Lewisburg B+
84.3
38K 23
186 Lynnville B+
84.3
1K 10
187 Mckenzie B+
84.2
5K 15
188 Henning B+
84.2
4K 49
189 Puryear B+
84.1
833 23
190 Bells B+
83.9
3K 12
191 Columbia B+
83.8
109K 17
192 Sugar Tree B+
83.8
635 14
193 Oliver Springs B+
83.7
5K 77
194 Dandridge B+
83.5
35K 18
195 Harriman B+
83.5
31K 38
196 Whitwell B+
83.5
9K 95
197 Atwood B+
83.3
1K 31
198 Lavergne B+
83.2
39K 23
199 Loudon B+
82.8
30K 29
200 Lawrenceburg B+
82.8
29K 76
201 Watertown B+
82.5
2K 12
202 Crossville B+
82.3
67K 69
203 Alamo B+
82.3
12K 66
204 Erin B+
82.2
8K 69
205 Gordonsville B+
82.2
5K 17
206 Obion B+
82.1
5K 30
207 Savannah B+
82
20K 28
208 Pulaski B+
81.7
18K 20
209 Tullahoma B+
81.6
31K 7
210 Cookeville B+
81.5
78K 53
211 Graysville B+
81.5
2K 38
212 New Tazewell B+
81.3
18K 58
213 Hornbeak B+
81.3
2K 49
214 Butler B+
81.3
1K 103
215 Mason B+
81.2
4K 25
216 Kenton B+
81
2K 61
217 Sparta B+
80.9
39K 63
218 Huntland B+
80.8
2K 48
219 Murfreesboro B+
80.6
333K 20
220 Spring City B
79.8
9K 82
221 White Pine B
79.8
4K 16
222 Collinwood B
79.8
3K 78
223 Nolensville B
79.3
33K 18
224 Sweetwater B
79.2
14K 58
225 Bolivar B
79.2
8K 23
226 New Market B
79.2
6K 19
227 Monteagle B
79
4K 33
228 Whiteville B
79
1K 33
229 Hohenwald B
78.8
12K 54
230 Bell Buckle B
78.4
3K 32
231 Estill Springs B
78.3
11K 75
232 Red Boiling Springs B
78.3
6K 193
233 Cleveland B
78.2
116K 75
234 Morristown B
78.2
46K 56
235 Counce B
78
7K 25
236 South Carthage B
77.8
9K 20
237 Riddleton B
77.2
5K 40
238 Jamestown B
77.1
20K 64
239 Wartrace B
76.7
4K 50
240 Wartrace B
76.7
4K 50
241 Georgetown B
76.5
31K 12
242 Dunlap B
76.4
13K 27
243 Sharon B
76.1
1K 28
244 Trenton B
75.8
15K 62
245 Clarksville B
75.5
289K 29
246 Pikeville B
75.5
11K 117
247 Copperhill B
75.5
1K 77
248 Bluff City B
75.3
3K 93
249 Kingsport B
75.1
121K 43
250 Roan Mountain B
75.1
1K 44
251 Moscow B-
74.8
821 41
252 Gatlinburg B-
74.4
12K 96
253 Lenoir City B-
74.2
35K 45
254 Franklin B-
74
77K 94
255 Lake City B-
73.8
28K 88
256 Summertown B-
73.2
6K 77
257 Alexandria B-
73.2
3K 28
258 Hartsville B-
73
11K 49
259 St Joseph B-
72.5
2K 38
260 Bristol B-
72.2
53K 186
261 Monterey B-
71.7
9K 101
262 Moss B-
71.5
4K 39
263 Tellico Plains B-
70.8
8K 128
264 Dayton B-
70.2
25K 68
265 Nashville C+
69
843K 73
266 Smithville C+
69
26K 97
267 Franklin C+
67.5
186K 124
268 Memphis C+
66.2
660K 103
269 Parsons C+
66.2
12K 70
270 Chattanooga C+
65.5
271K 60
271 Maynardville C
63.1
8K 148
272 Shelbyville C
62.6
58K 55
273 Clifton C
62.4
4K 79
274 Mountain City C
62.3
10K 165
275 Tracy City C
60.3
6K 44
276 Lebanon C-
60
121K 62
277 Dover C-
58.6
11K 157
278 Byrdstown C-
57.6
8K 101
279 Greeneville C-
57.5
72K 171
280 Minor Hill C-
57
15K 84
281 Rogersville C-
55.1
23K 201
282 Knoxville C-
55
602K 178
283 Etowah D+
54.7
21K 176
284 Manchester D+
54.4
36K 74
285 Jellico D+
54
5K 105
286 Spencer D+
52
6K 106
287 Harriman D+
51
48K 78
288 Jacksboro D+
50.6
13K 250
289 La Follette D+
50.4
29K 247
290 La Follette D+
50.4
29K 247
291 Middleton D+
50
2K 185
292 Fayetteville D
49.2
40K 98
293 Liberty D
49.1
1K 70
294 Liberty D
49.1
1K 70
295 Elizabethton D
47.5
53K 299
296 Gainesboro D
46
11K 122
297 Sevierville D
45.9
48K 192
298 Ardmore F
39.5
4K 205
299 Ardmore F
39.2
6K 218
Counties

Browse Tennessee counties

Anderson 4 cities · avg 85.5 Bedford 4 cities · avg 73.6 Benton 2 cities · avg 86.8 Bledsoe 1 city · avg 75.5 Blount 4 cities · avg 89.2 Bradley 1 city · avg 78.2 Campbell 4 cities · avg 51.4 Cannon 1 city · avg 91.5 Carroll 10 cities · avg 88.9 Carter 4 cities · avg 74.1 Cheatham 4 cities · avg 90.2 Chester 1 city · avg 85.8 Claiborne 3 cities · avg 85 Clay 2 cities · avg 81.8 Cocke 1 city · avg 92.7 Coffee 2 cities · avg 68 Crockett 6 cities · avg 85 Cumberland 2 cities · avg 85.1 Davidson 2 cities · avg 80.5 Decatur 3 cities · avg 79.4 Dekalb 4 cities · avg 60.1 Dickson 2 cities · avg 90.7 Dyer 4 cities · avg 91.2 Fayette 6 cities · avg 88.8 Fentress 2 cities · avg 84.5 Franklin 7 cities · avg 85.4 Gibson 6 cities · avg 86.2 Giles 3 cities · avg 74.3 Grainger 2 cities · avg 87.8 Greene 3 cities · avg 79.6 Grundy 3 cities · avg 77.8 Hamblen 3 cities · avg 88 Hamilton 6 cities · avg 82.8 Hancock 1 city · avg 85.3 Hardeman 7 cities · avg 79.3 Hardin 3 cities · avg 81.8 Hawkins 4 cities · avg 78.5 Haywood 2 cities · avg 90.2 Henderson 3 cities · avg 89.2 Henry 4 cities · avg 87 Hickman 3 cities · avg 89 Houston 2 cities · avg 87.1 Humphreys 3 cities · avg 89 Jackson 1 city · avg 46 Jefferson 4 cities · avg 81.7 Johnson 2 cities · avg 71.8 Knox 2 cities · avg 74.8 Lake 2 cities · avg 92.7 Lauderdale 4 cities · avg 91 Lawrence 6 cities · avg 83.5 Lewis 1 city · avg 78.8 Limestone 2 cities · avg 39.4 Lincoln 2 cities · avg 68.8 Loudon 2 cities · avg 78.5 Macon 2 cities · avg 84 Madison 3 cities · avg 84.8 Marion 4 cities · avg 90.1 Marshall 2 cities · avg 84.7 Maury 3 cities · avg 86.3 Mcminn 6 cities · avg 84.5 Mcnairy 4 cities · avg 91.1 Meigs 1 city · avg 91.5 Monroe 4 cities · avg 81.8 Montgomery 2 cities · avg 80 Moore 1 city · avg 88.4 Morgan 1 city · avg 90.1 Obion 7 cities · avg 87.1 Overton 3 cities · avg 90.1 Perry 2 cities · avg 87 Pickett 1 city · avg 57.6 Polk 3 cities · avg 84.4 Putnam 4 cities · avg 84.1 Rhea 4 cities · avg 78.8 Roane 3 cities · avg 73.3 Robertson 4 cities · avg 87.1 Rutherford 3 cities · avg 83.5 Scott 2 cities · avg 91.7 Sequatchie 1 city · avg 76.4 Sevier 3 cities · avg 71.3 Shelby 5 cities · avg 86.6 Smith 5 cities · avg 84.8 Stewart 2 cities · avg 72 Sullivan 4 cities · avg 80.1 Sumner 6 cities · avg 91.5 Tipton 5 cities · avg 89.1 Trousdale 1 city · avg 73 Unicoi 2 cities · avg 89.3 Union 2 cities · avg 77.3 Van Buren 1 city · avg 52 Warren 2 cities · avg 87.5 Washington 2 cities · avg 89 Wayne 3 cities · avg 76.8 Weakley 5 cities · avg 87.2 White 1 city · avg 80.9 Williamson 4 cities · avg 76.8 Wilson 4 cities · avg 84
ZIP Codes

Browse Tennessee by ZIP code

Look up water quality by ZIP code to find the systems serving your area.

View all Tennessee ZIP codes →
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Tennessee's water

Is Tennessee's tap water safe to drink?

Tennessee's water quality varies by city. The statewide average grade is B+ (82.8/100). 88% of cities scored an A or B, while 6% received a D or F. Check your specific city for detailed results.

Which Tennessee cities have the best water quality?

The top-rated cities are Huntsville (A+), Russellville (A+), Blountville (A+). These cities scored highest based on violation history, lead levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Which Tennessee cities have the worst water quality?

The lowest-rated cities are Ardmore (F), Ardmore (F), Sevierville (D). We recommend residents in these areas consider water filtration and review their city's specific contaminant data.

How many Tennessee cities have PFAS in their water?

80 out of 299 cities tested positive for PFAS "forever chemicals" (27%). 35 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can help reduce PFAS exposure.

Water quality resources

Guide
How to Read Your Water Quality Report
Read guide →
Guide
Lead in Drinking Water
Read guide →
Guide
PFAS Forever Chemicals Explained
Read guide →
News
Latest Water Quality News
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