Tennessee Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Tennessee, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Savannah Valley U. D. has the highest PFAS in Tennessee at 49 ppt (12x the EPA limit). White Pine Water System has the highest lead at 29.2 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Tennessee
Public water systems in Tennessee with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Savannah Valley U. D. | Georgetown · 30,571 served | 49 | 8 | 12x |
| 2 | Ocoee Utility District | Ocoee · 21,082 served | 41 | 4 | 10x |
| 3 | Marshall Co Bd P.U. #1 | Lewisburg · 13,257 served | 34 | 6 | 9x |
| 4 | Fort Campbell Water System | Ft. Campbell · 43,270 served | 33.6 | 5 | 8x |
| 5 | Cleveland Utilities | Cleveland · 95,087 served | 32.7 | 2 | 8x |
| 6 | Brownsville Water Dept | Brownsville · 12,845 served | 28 | 1 | 7x |
| 7 | Trenton Water System | Trenton · 5,155 served | 27 | 2 | 7x |
| 8 | First U.D. Of Hardin County | Counce · 7,388 served | 25.9 | 6 | 6x |
| 9 | Camden Water Dept | Camden · 10,013 served | 24 | 5 | 6x |
| 10 | Smyrna Water System | Smyrna · 60,876 served | 23 | 5 | 6x |
| 11 | North U.D. Of Decatur/Benton Co. | Holladay · 3,818 served | 20.3 | 5 | 5x |
| 12 | Springfield Water System | Springfield · 43,338 served | 20 | 1 | 5x |
Highest Lead Levels in Tennessee
Community water systems in Tennessee with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Pine Water System | White Pine · 4,171 served | 29.2 | 1.9x over |
| 2 | South Elizabethton U.D. | Elizabethton · 6,244 served | 23.8 | 1.6x over |
| 3 | Gatlinburg Water Dept | Gatlinburg · 8,877 served | 23.6 | 1.6x over |
| 4 | Manchester Water Department | Manchester · 24,975 served | 15 | within |
| 5 | Hillsville Utility District | Manchester · 11,325 served | 15 | within |
| 6 | Wartrace Water System | Wartrace · 3,983 served | 15 | within |
| 7 | Tullahoma Utilities Authority | Tullahoma · 30,958 served | 15 | within |
| 8 | Greeneville Water Commission | Greeneville · 26,657 served | 14.5 | within |
| 9 | Lenoir City Utility Board | Lenoir City · 34,786 served | 13.4 | within |
| 10 | Hohenwald Water System | Hohenwald · 12,475 served | 13.1 | within |
| 11 | Claiborne Utilities District | New Tazewell · 16,135 served | 12 | within |
| 12 | Tennessee Ridge Water System | Tennessee Ridge · 4,169 served | 11.1 | within |
Most EPA Violations in Tennessee
Community water systems in Tennessee with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warren County Util Dist #2 | Mcminnville · 6,022 served | 46 |
| 2 | Jackson County U.D. #3 | Gainesboro · 3,917 served | 22 |
| 3 | Tracy City Water System | Tracy City · 5,692 served | 18 |
| 4 | Oneida W&S Comm | Oneida · 11,600 served | 17 |
| 5 | Byrdstown Water Department | Byrdstown · 8,658 served | 17 |
| 6 | Bedford County U.D. | Shelbyville · 22,908 served | 14 |
| 7 | Clifton Water Dept | Clifton · 4,110 served | 14 |
| 8 | Rogersville Water Dept | Rogersville · 13,729 served | 12 |
| 9 | South Giles Utility District | Minor Hill · 6,985 served | 11 |
| 10 | Dayton Water Dept | Dayton · 25,054 served | 8 |
| 11 | Northwest Clay County Utility | Moss · 4,437 served | 8 |
| 12 | Hartsville-Trousdale W&S U.D. | Hartsville · 10,562 served | 7 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Tennessee?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Savannah Valley U. D. in Georgetown had the highest recorded PFAS level in Tennessee at 49 ppt - about 12x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Tennessee water system has the highest lead levels?
White Pine Water System in White Pine had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Tennessee under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 29.2 ppb - 1.9x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Tennessee water system has the most EPA violations?
Warren County Util Dist #2 in Mcminnville has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Tennessee, with 46 violations.
Where does the Tennessee water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Tennessee Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Tennessee water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.