TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Nashville water meets EPA standards but contains chlorine, PFAS, and hard minerals that affect quality of life.
- 2,800+ confirmed lead service lines with 76,000 more under review across Nashville.
- Hard water (100.5 mg/L) from limestone geology affects appliances, skin, and hair.
- Filtration options available to remove chlorine, reduce PFAS, and soften water.
WHERE DOES NASHVILLE'S WATER ACTUALLY COME FROM?
Nashville's water begins its journey in the Cumberland River and its tributaries, traveling through two main treatment plants—K.R. Harrington and Omohundro. Before it reaches your tap, it's been on quite an adventure through Middle Tennessee's limestone-rich terrain.
THE JOURNEY TO YOUR TAP
- •Collected from Cumberland River and Percy Priest Reservoir
- •Treated at facilities processing 90+ million gallons daily
- •Disinfected with chlorine and chloramine to kill bacteria
- •Traveled through miles of pipes, some dating back decades
WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S IN YOUR ZIP CODE?
Get a free water quality report for your Nashville-area neighborhood. See hardness levels, chlorine content, and local data.
WHAT NASHVILLE WATER REALLY MEANS FOR FAMILIES
- •Chlorine by-products (TTHMs & HAA5) present at levels up to 90–100× higher than health guidelines
- •Nashville has confirmed 2,800 lead service lines, with 76,000 more under review
- •Hard water from limestone geology leaves scale on dishes and appliances
WHY IS THERE CHLORINE IN MY WATER?
If your tap water smells like a swimming pool, you're not imagining it. Nashville Metro Water adds chlorine and chloramine to kill harmful bacteria. It's been standard practice since the early 1900s and prevents waterborne diseases.
THE CHLORINE TRADE-OFF
While chlorine keeps your water free from pathogens, it comes with consequences:
- •Creates "pool water" taste and smell
- •Forms disinfection byproducts when reacting with organic matter
- •Remains active even after reaching your home
WHAT ARE FOREVER CHEMICALS (PFAS)?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s in products like non-stick cookware and water-resistant clothing. They're called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally—not in the environment, and not in your body.
- • Detected in water sources across Tennessee
- • 95% of Americans have PFAS in their bloodstream
- • EPA issued new regulations April 2024
- • Can persist in the body for years
REMOVE PFAS, CHLORINE & HARD WATER MINERALS
Whole-home filtration removes chlorine, reduces PFAS, and eliminates hard water minerals. 500+ satisfied families. Licensed TN #4997.
DOES NASHVILLE HAVE HARD WATER?
If you've noticed white buildup on faucets, spots on dishes, or film on shower doors, you're seeing hard water effects. Nashville averages 100.5 mg/L in hardness, classified as "moderately hard" to "hard."
HOME IMPACTS
- •Mineral deposits on fixtures
- •Reduces soap lathering
- •Shortens appliance lifespan
PERSONAL EFFECTS
- •Dry skin feeling
- •Brittle, unmanageable hair
- •Film on shower doors
DOES CHLORINE AFFECT SKIN AND HAIR?
That tight, itchy feeling after a shower? Your dry hair that won't hold moisture? It might not be your products—it might be your water. Chlorine strips natural oils from skin and hair.
ON YOUR SKIN
- • Strips natural oils
- • Triggers eczema
- • Causes dryness
ON YOUR HAIR
- • Removes natural oils
- • Fades color-treated hair
- • Increases breakage
OTHER EFFECTS
- • Inhaling chlorine vapor
- • Affects sensitive children
- • Exacerbates conditions
ARE THERE MICROPLASTICS IN OUR WATER?
Microplastics—tiny plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters—have been found in water sources globally, including bottled water and tap water systems. These particles come from the breakdown of larger plastics, synthetic clothing fibers, and industrial processes.
WHAT WE KNOW
- •Found in water sources worldwide, including the U.S.
- •Can be smaller than what standard filtration removes
- •Research on health effects is ongoing
- •No current federal regulations for microplastics in drinking water
IS OUR WATER REALLY SAFE?
"Safe" is relative. Nashville water meets federal EPA standards—it won't make you acutely ill. But consider the difference between "safe" and "optimal."
WHAT "SAFE" MEANS
- ✓ Meets minimum federal standards
- ✓ Won't cause immediate illness
- ✓ Tested for ~90 regulated contaminants
WHAT IT DOESN'T MEAN
- ✗ Optimal for health
- ✗ Free from all concerns
- ✗ Best for skin and hair
- ✗ Ideal for plumbing
UNDERSTANDING YOUR WATER QUALITY REPORT
Metro Water publishes an annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report), but most people don't know how to interpret it. Here's what to look for:
MCL
Maximum Contaminant Level - The highest level allowed by law
MCLG
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - The level at which there's no known health risk
Detected Level
What's actually found in your water during testing
- • Aesthetic issues like hardness (unless extreme)
- • Emerging contaminants not yet regulated
- • How chemicals interact with each other
- • Effects on sensitive individuals
- • Impact on your home's plumbing and appliances
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Get answers to the most common questions Nashville residents ask about their tap water.
READY FOR BETTER WATER?
Book a 15-minute discovery call to discuss your water quality concerns and explore solutions.