Nashville Water Quality at a Glance
Is Nashville Water Safe to Drink?
Generally Safe with Room for Improvement — Nashville water meets all federal and state standards and is safe to drink according to Metro Water Services. The Cumberland River source water is treated at two facilities using conventional methods plus activated carbon. Main concerns include disinfection byproducts (THMs and HAAs) that exceed EWG health guidelines — though within EPA legal limits — moderate water hardness, and some chromium-6 detection. PFAS testing shows full compliance with EPA’s 2024 standards.
⚠️ Key Water Quality Notes for Nashville Residents
- Disinfection Byproducts: Total trihalomethanes at 13.7 ppb and haloacetic acids at 9.3 ppb — legal under EPA limits but above stricter EWG health guidelines
- Lead Service Lines: MWS’s P.I.P.E. program identified ~1,700 confirmed lead service lines and 700+ galvanized pipes requiring replacement as of early 2026; letters sent to ~21,000 property owners in December 2025
- Cumberland River Source: Surface water with history of industrial pollution; listed among Tennessee’s impaired waterways; requires ongoing monitoring for emerging contaminants
- Regional PFAS Context: While Nashville tests non-detect, statewide PFAS contamination is documented in Tennessee waterways; ongoing litigation against 3M over PFAS in the Tennessee River system
Read the full report below for detailed analysis, city-specific data, and actionable recommendations for Nashville residents.
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Nashville – Tennessee – Water Quality Report 2026: PFAS Testing, Lead Infrastructure & Safety across your city
Nashville’s Metro Water Services (MWS) operates one of Tennessee’s most comprehensive water treatment and distribution systems, serving over 700,000 residents across Davidson County and portions of Rutherford and Williamson Counties. Established in 1889, the system includes more than 3,000 miles of water mains, two major water treatment plants (K.R. Harrington and the R.L. Lawrence “Omohundro” facility), and multiple storage facilities, delivering approximately 109 million gallons of water daily to the greater Nashville metropolitan area. Nashville draws its drinking water primarily from the Cumberland River, which provides source water for both treatment facilities. The city implements comprehensive treatment processes including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and chloramine disinfection. Nashville’s water consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state quality standards, though the 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for Tennessee shows disinfection byproducts (THMs and HAAs) that exceed stricter EWG health guidelines — a key concern for informed residents reviewing our US water quality database.
Nashville Water Quality: Current Status (2025–2026)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead Levels: Thirty years of sampling have never detected lead at or above EPA action levels in Nashville’s finished water. The 90th percentile result remains below detection limits (<0.0001 mg/L), well under the EPA action level of 15 ppb — a testament to the corrosion control program running since 1987. Residents in older homes should still consider point-of-use water filtration as a precaution.
- PFAS Testing: Nashville’s 2024 monitoring shows non-detectable levels for all six PFAS compounds regulated under EPA’s 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, meeting the 4 ppt MCLs for PFOA and PFOS. Metro Water Services plans GAC post-filter adsorbers at both plants ahead of the 2031 compliance deadline.
- 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 (TDEC) regulations with no violations reported in the 2024 CCR.
Cumberland River Source
- Primary Water Source: The Cumberland River provides virtually all of Nashville’s water supply, with intake points strategically located upstream to minimise contamination risks before treatment at the Harrington and Omohundro plants.
- Source Water Challenges: The Cumberland River is listed among Tennessee’s impaired and threatened waterways, requiring advanced treatment to address agricultural runoff, urban stormwater, and legacy industrial pollution. Compare challenges in Memphis and Knoxville where similar issues apply.
- PFAS in Tennessee Waterways: While Nashville’s treated water tests non-detect for PFAS, ongoing litigation by Tennessee Riverkeeper against 3M highlights broader contamination concerns in the state’s river system. The latest US water quality news continues to track PFAS regulatory developments.
Treatment Excellence
- K.R. Harrington and Omohundro Plants: Both plants use multi-barrier treatment — coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and chloramine disinfection — with granular activated carbon for taste and odour control. MWS also deploys powdered activated carbon during seasonal algal bloom events on the Cumberland River.
- Disinfection Byproducts: The 2024 CCR reports total trihalomethanes at 13.7 ppb and haloacetic acids at 9.3 ppb. These figures are within EPA legal limits (THMs: 80 ppb; HAAs: 60 ppb) but exceed EWG health guidelines — the distinction matters and is addressed in our water quality guide. A certified carbon filter (NSF Standard 53) is the practical solution.
- PFAS Upgrade Planning: Metro Water Services is planning granular activated carbon (GAC) post-filter adsorbers at both treatment plants to enhance PFAS removal ahead of the EPA’s extended 2031 compliance deadline.
Infrastructure & Lead Service Line Programme
- P.I.P.E. Programme: MWS launched its P.I.P.E. (Prevent, Inform, Protect, Eliminate) programme in response to the EPA’s strengthened Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. An initial survey in late 2024 identified approximately 2,800 lead service line locations and more than 76,000 with unknown materials across the city.
- December 2025 Letters: MWS sent notification letters to nearly 21,000 property owners in December 2025. Of those, approximately 1,700 were confirmed to have lead service lines and just over 700 had galvanized pipes requiring replacement. MWS replaced the public portion of 137 lead lines during 2024 infrastructure works.
- Compliance Deadlines: The EPA Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) require a completed service line inventory and replacement plan by November 2027, with full replacement of lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by 2037. MWS crews continue field inspections with metal analysers, moving through neighbourhoods including Bordeaux, Hillwood, and Radnor.
- Pipeline Renewal: Approximately 20 miles of aging water mains are replaced annually, prioritised by leak history and coordination with road improvement projects. Digital SCADA systems provide real-time monitoring across the distribution network. You can monitor active disruptions via our US boil water notices tracker.
Consumer Programmes
Nashville provides free water quality testing for concerned residents, payment assistance for low-income customers, and educational materials on home plumbing maintenance. The P.I.P.E. programme’s public-facing service line inventory portal allows residents to check the status of their service line at any time. Metro Water Services emphasises that its corrosion control programme — adding a food-grade phosphate solution to finished water since 1987 — creates a protective barrier inside pipes that has kept lead levels below detection limits in Nashville’s finished water throughout 30 years of sampling. Residents who receive letters about lead or unknown pipe materials can request further guidance at 615-862-4600 or via the online survey at nashville.gov/water. For broader context on how US utilities are responding to PFAS and lead rules, see our water alert news section.
Recommendations for Nashville Residents
Check Your Service Line Status
Following MWS letters to ~21,000 property owners in December 2025, visit nashville.gov/water to check whether your address has a lead, galvanized, or unknown service line. If your status is unknown, complete the online survey to help crews prioritise field inspections. Call Metro Water Services at (615) 862-4600 for free testing guidance — particularly important for homes built before 1988.
Consider Water Filtration
Given disinfection byproduct levels (THMs 13.7 ppb, HAAs 9.3 ppb) that exceed EWG health guidelines, consider an NSF Standard 53-certified carbon filter to reduce THMs and HAAs. For the most comprehensive protection — including any PFAS that may emerge — reverse osmosis is the gold standard. Browse certified options in our water filter guide.
Enrol in the P.I.P.E. Programme
Contact Metro Water Services to confirm your service line material and ask about the P.I.P.E. (Prevent, Inform, Protect, Eliminate) programme. MWS replaced 137 lead lines in 2024 and crews continue neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood inspections. Nashville is responsible for replacing its portion of lead lines from the main to the meter; private-side replacement is the homeowner’s responsibility.
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. This is particularly important if your service line status is unknown or confirmed lead. Always use cold water for consumption, as hot water leaches more metals from plumbing. MWS advises this precaution in all notification letters sent in December 2025.
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 use the same number and select option 1. You can also track boil water advisories and outages nationwide via our live US boil water notices tracker.
Quality News About Your Water
Get the comprehensive water quality news coverage you need with our dedicated US Water News Service. From coast to coast, we deliver in-depth reporting and expert analysis on PFAS contamination, EPA regulatory changes, infrastructure developments, and emerging water safety issues affecting communities nationwide. While mainstream media only covers the biggest stories, we provide the detailed, ongoing coverage that helps you understand the full scope of America’s water challenges.
What’s actually in your tap water? Enter your ZIP code for a full breakdown of contaminants detected in your local supply
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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 as of 2026. The city draws water from the Cumberland River and employs multi-barrier treatment at both the K.R. Harrington and Omohundro plants.
Thirty years of lead sampling have never detected levels at or above the EPA action level of 15 ppb. However, the 2024 CCR shows disinfection byproducts — total trihalomethanes at 13.7 ppb and haloacetic acids at 9.3 ppb — that are legal under EPA limits but exceed stricter EWG health guidelines. For an NSF-certified carbon filter that addresses DBPs, visit our water filter recommendations. Overall Nashville water is compliant, with seasonal taste variations during algal bloom periods on the Cumberland River.
How do I know if my home has lead pipes?
Metro Water Services sent letters to nearly 21,000 Nashville property owners in December 2025 identifying lead, galvanized, or unknown service lines. To check your specific address:
1. Visit nashville.gov/water to use MWS’s online service line inventory tool. If your status shows as unknown, complete the survey so field crews can prioritise inspection of your area.
2. Locate the service line where it enters your home (usually basement or crawl space). Lead pipes are dull grey, soft enough to scratch with a key, and not magnetic. MWS stopped installing lead pipe in 1955, but homes built before 1988 with copper plumbing may have lead solder joints.
3. Call (615) 862-4600 to request guidance or free testing. MWS replaces the public portion of lead lines when found; private-side plumbing remains the homeowner’s responsibility. Nashville’s compliance deadline under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements is 2037, with the inventory and replacement plan due November 2027. See our water quality guide for broader context on lead in US drinking water.
Why does Nashville’s water sometimes taste or smell different?
Seasonal taste and odour variations in Nashville’s water are primarily caused by:
• Algal blooms: During warm weather (typically late spring and summer), algae in the Cumberland River produce compounds like geosmin and MIB that cause earthy or musty tastes. MWS deploys powdered activated carbon during these periods to minimise the effect.
• Treatment adjustments: Seasonal changes in source water chemistry require adjustments to treatment processes, temporarily affecting taste.
• Chloramine levels: Disinfectant levels are carefully maintained across the network but some residents are sensitive to the taste.
These variations are aesthetic and do not indicate health concerns. Refrigerating tap water in an open container or using an NSF-certified carbon filter can significantly improve taste. Check our filter guide for options suited to Nashville’s water profile.
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 Cumberland River supply typically prevents severe restrictions. Current status, conservation tips, and any active advisories are at nashville.gov/water or call (615) 862-4600. For active boil water notices across Tennessee and the US, see our live US boil water tracker.
Contaminants of Concern
Disinfection Byproducts
Source: Formation occurs when chloramine disinfectants react with natural organic matter in the Cumberland River source water during treatment. Higher organic loads during spring flooding and summer algal blooms can elevate DBP formation.
Health Effects: Long-term exposure to trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids is associated with increased bladder cancer risk and potential liver and kidney effects. It is important to note these are EWG concerns, not EPA violations — see our explainer on MCLs vs health guidelines.
Current Levels (2024 CCR): Total trihalomethanes: 13.7 ppb; haloacetic acids: 9.3 ppb. EPA Limits: THMs 80 ppb, HAAs 60 ppb. Nashville is fully compliant but exceeds EWG health guidelines (0.1 ppb for THMs). An NSF Standard 53 carbon block filter effectively reduces both. Browse options at our water filter solutions page.
Lead Service Lines
Source: Legacy lead service lines in older Nashville neighbourhoods and lead-containing solder in copper plumbing installed before 1988. MWS stopped installing lead pipe in 1955, but inventory work in 2024–2026 has confirmed approximately 1,700 lead service lines remain across the city.
Health Effects: No safe level of lead exposure exists. Effects include developmental delays, reduced IQ, learning difficulties in children, and kidney and cardiovascular effects in adults. See how Flint, Michigan demonstrated the catastrophic consequences of failing corrosion control.
Current Status (2026): 30 years of sampling show lead below detection limits in finished water; the P.I.P.E. corrosion control programme has been in place since 1987. MWS notified ~21,000 property owners in December 2025; full replacement plan due by November 2027 with compliance by 2037 under the LCRI. Check nashville.gov/water for your service line status.
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