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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality scores for 2 cities in Tennessee
Across the 2 Tennessee water systems we track, the average water quality score is 81/100 — 9 points above the U.S. national average of 72/100. 50% of Tennessee cities (1 of 2) score above that national benchmark, and 1 earn a Grade A for clean, low-contaminant tap water.
The contaminants most commonly flagged in Tennessee water systems are disinfection byproducts (surface-water treatment), lead (older service lines) and turbidity (river sediment). See the full breakdown in our Tennessee water quality rankings or compare against the cities with the best water quality in America.
See the top 20 cities with the cleanest, safest drinking water
Complete water quality rankings for every city in Tennessee
27 residents
7,895 residents
Tennessee generally has good water quality, drawing largely from the abundant rivers and reservoirs of the Tennessee Valley Authority system. The state's main challenges are disinfection byproducts from surface-water treatment, lead service lines in older cities such as Memphis and Nashville, and localized industrial and karst-groundwater concerns.
Based on our analysis of 2 cities in Tennessee, the average water quality score is 81/100. 1 cities have water quality scores below 70, indicating potential concerns that residents should be aware of. The highest-rated city is Nashville with a score of 67/100, while Memphis has the most room for improvement at 95/100.
1 of the 2 Tennessee cities we analyzed score below 70/100. If your city is one of them, a certified filter matched to your local contaminants is the fastest way to reduce exposure. For lead and PFAS, look for an NSF 53 certified filter or a reverse osmosis system.
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Most Tennessee communities use surface water from the Tennessee and Cumberland river systems and TVA reservoirs. Memphis is a notable exception, drawing exceptionally clean water from the deep Memphis Sand Aquifer, often cited as among the best municipal groundwater in the nation.
These contaminants have been detected in various Tennessee water systems
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) regulates public drinking water under federal EPA standards and oversees source water protection across the Tennessee and Cumberland basins. TDEC monitors disinfection byproducts and has begun statewide PFAS sampling.
Disinfection byproducts can be elevated in systems treating organic-rich surface water. Lead remains a concern in older neighborhoods of Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. Karst regions of Middle Tennessee can experience bacterial contamination in groundwater after heavy rain.
Tennessee residents in pre-1986 homes should test for lead and consider an NSF 53 filter. For chlorine taste and disinfection byproducts, activated carbon works well. Memphis residents enjoy outstanding aquifer water; elsewhere, review your Consumer Confidence Report for trihalomethane levels.
Most Tennessee cities have tap water that meets EPA safety standards. With an average score of 81/100 across 2 cities we analyzed, Tennessee generally has good water quality. However, water quality varies by location, so check your specific city's report.
The most common water quality concerns in Tennessee include disinfection byproducts (surface-water treatment), lead (older service lines), turbidity (river sediment). These contaminants can come from natural sources, industrial activities, or aging infrastructure. Review your city's specific report to see which contaminants affect your area.
Whether you need a water filter depends on your specific location and health concerns. With 1 cities in Tennessee showing elevated contaminant levels, residents in those areas may benefit from filtration. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI to remove the specific contaminants found in your area.
Public water systems in Tennessee are required to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) to residents. You can usually find your report on your water utility's website, request it by phone, or access it through the EPA's database. Our city-level reports above summarize key information from these official sources.
Lead can be present in Tennessee water, primarily from older plumbing infrastructure. Homes built before 1986 may have lead pipes or lead solder. While water treatment plants remove lead, it can leach into water from service lines and home plumbing. Check your city's specific report for lead testing data, and consider having your tap water tested if you live in an older home.
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water systems across the United States, including in Tennessee. These chemicals are associated with industrial sites, military bases, and firefighting foam use. The EPA has set new PFAS limits effective 2024. Check individual Tennessee city reports for PFAS testing results in your area.
Based on our analysis, Nashville has the highest water quality score in Tennessee at 67/100 (Grade C+). However, "best" depends on your specific health concerns. View our Best Water Quality in Tennessee page for a complete ranking.
Public water systems in Tennessee are required by the EPA to test water regularly. Testing frequency depends on the contaminant: bacteria testing occurs daily to weekly, while chemical contaminants may be tested quarterly or annually. Results are published in annual Consumer Confidence Reports. Our site aggregates this data from EPA's SDWIS database.
Compare water quality across counties and find data for your area