Nashville – Tennessee – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Nashville’s Metro Water Services operates one of the most modern water treatment and distribution systems in the United States, serving over 750,000 residents across Davidson County and portions of surrounding counties. Established in 1889, the system includes more than 3,000 miles of water mains, two major water treatment plants, and multiple storage facilities, delivering approximately 125 million gallons of water daily to the greater Nashville metropolitan area.
Nashville draws its drinking water primarily from the Cumberland River, with J. Percy Priest Reservoir serving as a secondary source. The city implements comprehensive watershed protection programs and utilizes advanced treatment technologies to ensure high-quality drinking water. Nashville’s water consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state quality standards, though the system faces challenges with aging infrastructure in some older neighborhoods and occasional taste and odor issues during seasonal algal blooms in the Cumberland River.
Nashville Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead Levels: The most recent testing period (January-December 2023) showed 90th percentile lead levels of 5.3 parts per billion (ppb), well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, reflecting Nashville’s effective corrosion control program.
- Testing Scope: Nashville conducts over 85,000 water quality tests annually, with sampling at both treatment plants and throughout the distribution system, including enhanced monitoring at residential sites.
- Compliance Status: Nashville’s water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining full compliance with EPA and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation regulations.
Cumberland River Source
- Primary Water Source: The Cumberland River provides approximately 90% of Nashville’s water supply, with intake points strategically located to ensure reliable access even during drought conditions.
- J. Percy Priest Reservoir: Secondary source (10% of supply) that can be activated during emergencies or maintenance periods for the main system.
- Watershed Protection: Collaborative programs with state and federal agencies to monitor and protect the Cumberland River watershed, including agricultural runoff prevention and industrial discharge monitoring.
Treatment Excellence
- K.R. Harrington and Omohundro Plants: Both utilize comprehensive multi-barrier treatment processes including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.
- Advanced Disinfection: Combined chlorine (chloramines) system provides effective pathogen control while minimizing disinfection byproducts and maintaining longer residual protection in the distribution system.
- Corrosion Control: Optimized orthophosphate addition and pH adjustment prevent lead and copper leaching from pipes and plumbing fixtures throughout the system.
Infrastructure Investment
- Pipeline Renewal: Annual replacement of approximately 20 miles of aging water mains, with prioritization based on leak history, water quality concerns, and coordination with road projects.
- Service Line Program: Ongoing inventory and replacement program targeting the estimated 30,000 lead service lines within the system, with priority given to schools, childcare facilities, and disadvantaged neighborhoods.
- Digital Infrastructure: Advanced SCADA systems with real-time monitoring capabilities for water quality parameters and operational efficiency throughout the treatment and distribution process.
Consumer Programs
Nashville provides comprehensive customer assistance including free water quality testing for concerned residents, filter distribution for qualifying households, and payment assistance programs for low-income customers. The city’s infrastructure improvements prioritize environmental justice considerations, with accelerated lead service line replacements in historically underserved communities. Nashville maintains award-winning transparency in reporting water quality data and system maintenance activities, while educational programs promote water conservation and proper home plumbing maintenance. The combination of excellent source water, advanced treatment technologies, and robust infrastructure investment ensures Nashville residents receive consistently high-quality drinking water.
Recommendations for Nashville Residents
Request Water Testing
Contact Metro Water Services at (615) 862-4600 or visit nashville.gov/water to request free water quality testing. Tests are particularly recommended for homes built before 1986 that may have lead plumbing components.
Participate in Lead Reduction
Apply for Nashville’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program, which provides full replacement at reduced or no cost for eligible households. Call (615) 862-4600 or visit nashville.gov/water/lead to check eligibility and begin the application process.
Use Certified Filters
If you have lead plumbing components or elevated lead levels, use NSF-certified filters (Standard 53) for drinking and cooking water. Metro Water Services provides free filters to qualifying households through its community assistance program.
Flush Your Pipes Regularly
After water has been sitting in pipes for 6+ hours, run cold water for 2-3 minutes before using for drinking or cooking. Always use cold water for consumption, as hot water is more likely to contain elevated metal levels from your plumbing.
Report Water Issues
Contact Metro Water Services at (615) 862-4600 immediately for water main breaks, pressure problems, or quality concerns. For after-hours emergencies, call the 24-hour emergency line at (615) 862-4600, option 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nashville’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Nashville’s tap water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards. The city draws water primarily from the Cumberland River and employs advanced multi-barrier treatment processes at both the K.R. Harrington and Omohundro Water Treatment Plants.
Recent testing shows 90th percentile lead levels at 5.3 ppb, well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb. However, homes built before 1986 may have lead service lines or internal plumbing components containing lead. Metro Water Services offers free testing and provides filters for households with elevated lead levels. Overall, Nashville’s water is of excellent quality, with occasional seasonal taste and odor variations due to algal blooms in the source water.
How do I know if my home has lead pipes?
Nashville maintains a database of known service line materials, though information for some older homes may be incomplete. To check your home:
1. Locate the water service line where it enters your home (usually in basement or crawl space). Lead pipes appear dull gray, are soft enough to scratch with a key, and don’t attract magnets.
2. Call Metro Water Services at (615) 862-4600 to request a service line inspection or to check their records for your address.
3. Consider the age of your home – properties built before 1950 are most likely to have lead service lines, though some installed through the mid-1980s may contain lead components.
Nashville’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program offers assistance for identifying and replacing lead service lines, with priority given to homes with children, pregnant women, or elevated lead test results.
Why does Nashville’s water sometimes taste or smell different?
Seasonal taste and odor variations in Nashville’s water are primarily caused by:
• Algal blooms: During warm weather (typically late spring and summer), algae in the Cumberland River can produce compounds like geosmin and MIB that cause earthy or musty tastes and odors
• Treatment adjustments: Seasonal changes in water chemistry may require adjustments to treatment processes, temporarily affecting taste
• Chloramine levels: Disinfectant levels are carefully maintained throughout the system, but some people are more sensitive to the taste
These variations are aesthetic only and do not indicate health concerns. Metro Water Services uses powdered activated carbon treatment during algal bloom periods to minimize taste and odor compounds. Refrigerating tap water in an open container can help improve taste, as can using NSF-certified carbon filters.
Does Nashville implement water restrictions?
Nashville implements a tiered approach to water conservation:
Normal Conditions (Year-Round Guidelines):
• Water lawns and gardens during cooler hours (before 10am or after 6pm)
• Use rain barrels and drought-resistant landscaping
• Fix leaks promptly
• Use water-efficient fixtures and appliances
Drought Response (Activated as Needed):
• Stage 1 (Voluntary): Additional conservation requests
• Stage 2 (Mandatory): Odd/even watering schedules
• Stage 3 (Emergency): Ban on non-essential water use
Nashville’s abundant water supply from the Cumberland River typically prevents the need for severe restrictions. Current status and water conservation tips are available at nashville.gov/water or by calling (615) 862-4600.
Contaminants of Concern
Lead
Source: Lead service lines and older plumbing fixtures in homes built before 1986; Nashville has approximately 30,000 lead service lines in its inventory
Health Effects: Developmental delays in children, reduced IQ, learning difficulties, kidney problems, cardiovascular effects in adults
Current Levels: 90th percentile value of 5.3 ppb, well below EPA action level EPA Limit: Action level 15 ppb, though no level of lead is considered safe
Taste and Odor Compounds
Source: Seasonal algal blooms in the Cumberland River produce geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), causing earthy or musty taste and odor
Health Effects: No health concerns; these compounds are aesthetic issues only, detectable by humans at extremely low concentrations
Current Status: Seasonal occurrence, primarily during warm weather months; treated using powdered activated carbon at the water treatment plants
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