Tennessee
Tennessee sits in the South and draws its water primarily from Tennessee River, Cumberland River, and aquifers. With roughly 7 million residents, the state has minimal formal water reuse to date, reusing an estimated 3% of its treated wastewater.
Tennesseewater quality & safety
Top violation drivers in Tennessee
| Contaminant / rule | Systems |
|---|---|
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 40 |
| TTHM | 37 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | 13 |
| Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | 9 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | 7 |
| Groundwater Rule | 5 |
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1 · health-based violations since 2016
Ample surface water; Memphis draws from a renowned deep sand aquifer it works to protect.
On the U.S. Drought Monitor scale, Tennessee currently tracks around severe to extreme conditions. Tennessee has 453 community water systems serving about 8 million people; EPA records show 105 of them (23.2%) with a health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016. The pages below break down the water issues that matter most here and the communities working on solutions.
Drought history — severe+ extent
% of Tennessee in severe drought or worse (D2+) each late summer.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC/UNL, USDA, NOAA) · latest 2026-06-09
Water use (USGS 2015)
- Per-capita (public supply)
- 141 gpcd
- Total withdrawals
- 6.4 Bgal/d
- From groundwater
- 6.7%
- Irrigation share
- 1%
- Wastewater reused (est.)
- ~3%
Primary water sources
- ≈ Tennessee River
- ≈ Cumberland River
- ≈ aquifers
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Tennessee?
Tennessee has 453 community water systems serving about 8 million people. EPA records show 105 of them (23.2%) with at least one health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016, and 0 system(s) over the federal lead action level. Most large systems meet standards; check your specific city and your utility's annual report.
What contaminants are most common in Tennessee's water?
The most frequent health-based violations involve Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM, Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.
How much water does Tennessee use per person?
Public water systems in Tennessee withdraw about 141 gallons per person per day (USGS 2015), drawing 6.7% of fresh water from groundwater.
How bad is the drought in Tennessee?
As of 2026-06-09, 74.3% of Tennessee is in drought (D1+) and 34.7% is in severe drought or worse, per the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Cities in Tennessee
14 trackedMemphis
Memphis, TN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
New South Memphis
New South Memphis, TN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Nashville
Nashville, TN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Knoxville
Knoxville, TN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
East Chattanooga
East Chattanooga, TN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Clarksville
Clarksville, TN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro, TN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Franklin
Franklin, TN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Jackson
Jackson, TN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Johnson City
Johnson City, TN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Bartlett
Bartlett, TN water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.