How to use this page. This is Tennessee Water Authority’s annual data journalism roundup covering verified changes across all 17 Middle Tennessee utilities in 2025–2026. It is updated once per year each June. Click any city name for the full city guide with complete contaminant data. Submit your water quote for a free independent audit at any time.
2026 Middle Tennessee Water Scorecard
Quick overview across all 17 utilities in the Tennessee Water Authority guide series.
0
Health violations among the 17 major utilities in 2025 (full-year)
3
Utilities with zero PFAS detected (Nashville MWS, Lebanon, La Vergne) confirmed 2025 CCR
2
Utilities with PFOA above EWG guideline (Milcrofton UD, Spring Hill WD)
1
Utility confirmed zero lead service lines via completed LSLI (La Vergne WS, 2025)
3%
Nashville MWS rate increase effective Jan 1, 2026
20%
Columbia ongoing annual rate increase through 2030
1
TDEC Award of Excellence 2025 (Smyrna Water System)
4
PFAS MCLs proposed for rescission by EPA (May 18, 2026)
The Biggest Changes in 2025–2026
These are the developments that matter most for Middle Tennessee homeowners — ordered by impact on daily water quality and household costs.
Regulatory Change
EPA proposed rescinding 4 of 6 PFAS MCLs and extending PFOA/PFOS compliance to 2031
On May 18, 2026, EPA published two proposed rules that significantly reshape PFAS regulation. The first would rescind the 2024 PFAS MCLs for four compounds — PFHxS (10 ppt), PFNA (10 ppt), HFPO-DA/GenX (10 ppt), and the Hazard Index mixture MCL — citing procedural concerns with how the Biden administration established those standards. The second would extend the compliance deadline for PFOA (4 ppt) and PFOS (4 ppt) from April 2029 to April 2031, allowing utilities two additional years to install treatment systems. PFOA and PFOS MCLs at 4 ppt remain in force and are being defended in court. The comment period for both rules closes July 20, 2026. A virtual public hearing was held July 7, 2026.
The practical effect for Middle Tennessee: Milcrofton UD and Spring Hill WD, which have detected PFOA above EWG’s 0.5 ppt health guideline, remain below the 4 ppt PFOA MCL and therefore in full compliance. The proposed deadline extension gives them additional time if PFOA levels were ever to approach the MCL. The rescission of the four other PFAS MCLs removes regulatory pressure for those compounds nationally — but EWG health guidelines for those compounds remain unchanged.
The practical effect for Middle Tennessee: Milcrofton UD and Spring Hill WD, which have detected PFOA above EWG’s 0.5 ppt health guideline, remain below the 4 ppt PFOA MCL and therefore in full compliance. The proposed deadline extension gives them additional time if PFOA levels were ever to approach the MCL. The rescission of the four other PFAS MCLs removes regulatory pressure for those compounds nationally — but EWG health guidelines for those compounds remain unchanged.
Impact: High. Reduces near-term regulatory pressure on utilities with PFAS concerns. Does not change individual household risk calculus — an RO system remains the right choice for Milcrofton UD and Spring Hill WD customers regardless of the MCL timeline.
Full PFAS Middle Tennessee Guide →
Rate Increase
3% rate increase effective January 1, 2026 — reflected on February 2026 bills
Nashville MWS increased residential and commercial water and sewer rates by 3% on January 1, 2026. This is in addition to the continuing Water Infrastructure Replacement fee (10% of water service charges) and Sewer Infrastructure Replacement fee (10% of sewer service charges) that fund aging pipe replacement across Davidson County. For a typical Nashville residential customer using 4,000 gallons per month, the 3% increase represents approximately $2–$4 additional per month before the infrastructure surcharges. Nashville MWS simultaneously published its 2025 CCR (covering January 1–December 31, 2025 data) in May 2026 under a new naming convention: reports are now titled by the year the data was analyzed rather than the year of publication. The 2025 CCR confirms: zero violations, zero PFAS detected, chlorine residual 1.60 ppm average, TTHMs 43.5 ppb LRAA, hardness 5.9 GPG (100.5 mg/L).
Impact: Moderate. Small monthly cost increase. Water quality unchanged. 2025 CCR confirms Nashville MWS continues as one of the best-performing large utilities in Tennessee.
Nashville Water Quality Guide →
Lead Milestone
Lead Service Line Inventory completed — zero lead service lines confirmed
La Vergne Water System completed its Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) under EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and confirmed zero lead service lines in its entire distribution system. This was reported in La Vergne’s 2025 CCR and makes La Vergne one of the first Middle Tennessee utilities to complete this process. The LSLI completion is significant because it removes the uncertainty about utility-side lead exposure that exists for utilities still conducting their inventory. La Vergne customers can confirm with high confidence that the utility-side infrastructure does not present a lead risk — the remaining household-level concern is pre-1986 home plumbing solder and pre-2014 brass fixtures, which are the homeowner’s responsibility.
Impact: Positive. Removes significant uncertainty for La Vergne customers regarding utility-side lead. Pre-1986 home plumbing remains a separate concern. La Vergne also confirmed zero PFAS detected and zero violations in 2025.
La Vergne Water Quality Guide →
Award
TDEC Award of Excellence for 2025 CCR performance
Smyrna Water System received the TDEC Award of Excellence for outstanding performance in its 2025 Consumer Confidence Report. The award recognizes utilities that exceed basic compliance requirements through proactive water quality management, public communication, and operational excellence. Smyrna WS also reported zero lead in its distribution system, zero PFAS detected across all monitored compounds, and zero health violations in 2025. The primary ongoing concern for Smyrna customers remains the extremely hard water at an estimated 10–14 GPG — unchanged from prior years and a function of the Percy Priest Lake / Stones River geology rather than utility management. CUD Rutherford (the other Murfreesboro-area utility) also earned a 100% TDEC sanitary survey score in 2025.
Impact: Positive signal on utility management. Hardness remains the dominant daily water quality issue for Smyrna customers and is unaffected by the award.
Smyrna Water Quality Guide →
Rate Increase (ongoing)
Year three of approved 20%/year rate increases — continuing through 2030
Columbia’s ongoing rate increase schedule, approved by the utility board, continues its trajectory of approximately 20% annual increases through 2030. This rate hike program was approved to fund significant infrastructure upgrades to the Duck River water treatment and distribution system. For a Columbia residential customer on the average usage profile, cumulative rate increases since the program began now exceed 40% over the pre-increase baseline. The water quality profile is unchanged: zero violations, Duck River source water, approximately 8 GPG hardness, TTHMs present above EWG guidelines from Duck River organic loading. No PFAS detected.
Impact: Ongoing cost increase for Columbia customers through 2030. Factor cumulative rate increase trajectory into long-term homeownership cost projections. Water quality is stable despite rate pressure.
Columbia Water Quality Guide →
CCR Rule Change
CCR naming convention changed — reports now titled by year data was analyzed, not year published
Nashville MWS changed its Consumer Confidence Report naming convention in 2026. The report covering January 1–December 31, 2025 data is now called the “2025 Consumer Confidence Report” rather than (as previously) being published in 2026 but titled “2026 CCR.” This aligns with EPA’s intent that CCRs be identified by the year the data represents, not the year of publication. Practically, this means when comparing CCRs across years, verify that the data period (not just the report title) matches what you expect. An upcoming 2027 rule change will require all utilities to publish CCRs with direct URL delivery — replacing the older method of mailing paper copies. The first compliant report under the new electronic delivery requirements is due July 1, 2027.
Impact: Minimal to homeowners. Be aware when comparing historical CCR data that the naming change may create apparent gaps — verify the data period, not just the report year title.
Coming 2027
New direct-URL CCR delivery requirements effective January 1, 2027
EPA’s revised CCR Rule requires all public water systems to meet new electronic delivery requirements by January 1, 2027. The first compliant Consumer Confidence Report under the new rules is due July 1, 2027 (covering 2026 data). Key changes: utilities must deliver CCRs via direct URL (utilities must notify customers of a web address where the CCR is posted), and paper mailing can be phased out in favor of electronic delivery for most customers. For Middle Tennessee homeowners, this means 2027 CCRs will be easier to find and link to directly. Tennessee Water Authority will update all city guide CCR links when 2027 reports are published.
Impact: Positive for transparency. Easier access to annual water quality data beginning with reports published July 2027. No water quality impact.
Water Rate Changes 2025–2026
All verified rate changes across Middle Tennessee utilities. Where specific per-gallon rates are available from published schedules or CCRs they are included. Where only percentage changes are confirmed, percentages are shown.
| Utility | Change | Effective | Published rate (where available) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville MWS | +3% residential & commercial | Jan 1, 2026 | +10% infrastructure surcharge on water & sewer charges (continuing) | Confirmed |
| Columbia / Marshall Co. WA | ~+20%/yr (year 3 of approved schedule) | Ongoing through 2030 | Approved multi-year rate schedule for infrastructure upgrades | Ongoing |
| Murfreesboro MWRD | Biennial schedule | 2025–26 schedule in effect | Water: $3.75/1,000 gal · Wastewater: $5.50/1,000 gal | Published |
| Franklin WD | No major change reported | 2025 | See Franklin WD 2025 CCR for current schedule | Stable |
| Clarksville WD | No major change reported | 2025 | See Clarksville WD 2025 CCR | Stable |
| Smyrna WS / CUD Rutherford | No major change reported | 2025 | Managed by Inframark under contract | Stable |
| La Vergne WS | No major change reported | 2025 | Managed by Inframark under contract | Stable |
| All other guide utilities | No confirmed major changes | 2025–2026 | Contact individual utility for current rate schedules | See CCRs |
The EPA PFAS Regulatory Rollback: Full Timeline
The most significant federal water regulation development of 2025–2026 is the partial rollback of the 2024 PFAS drinking water rule. Here is the complete timeline of what happened and where things stand as of June 29, 2026.
Apr
2024
2024
April 10, 2024
EPA finalizes first-ever PFAS MCLs for 6 compounds
PFOA: 4 ppt · PFOS: 4 ppt · PFHxS: 10 ppt · PFNA: 10 ppt · GenX (HFPO-DA): 10 ppt · Hazard Index for PFBS mixtures. All utilities required to comply by April 2029.
Middle Tennessee impact: Milcrofton UD and Spring Hill WD began assessing PFOA levels relative to 4 ppt MCL.
May
2025
2025
May 14, 2025
EPA announces intent to rescind 4 MCLs and extend PFOA/PFOS deadline to 2031
EPA retained PFOA and PFOS at 4 ppt but signaled it would rescind PFHxS, PFNA, GenX, and PFBS Hazard Index standards citing Safe Drinking Water Act procedural requirements. Compliance deadline for PFOA/PFOS extended from 2029 to 2031. New “PFAS OUT” technical assistance program announced. Industry groups applauded; environmental groups criticized as anti-backsliding violation.
May
2026
2026
May 18, 2026 — Current status
EPA publishes two proposed rules — comment period open
Rule 1 (Docket EPA-HQ-OW-2025-0654): Proposed rescission of PFHxS, PFNA, GenX, and PFBS Hazard Index MCLs. Rule 2 (Docket EPA-HQ-OW-2025-1742): Proposed extension of PFOA/PFOS compliance deadline to 2031 via a “federal exemption framework.” Virtual public hearing: July 7, 2026. Comment deadline: July 20, 2026.
PFOA/PFOS MCLs at 4 ppt remain in force during the rulemaking process. Monitoring and reporting requirements under the 2024 rule still apply.
Jul
2026
2026
July 20, 2026
Public comment deadline for both proposed PFAS rules
Last day to submit written comments on both proposed rules at regulations.gov. Comments from environmental groups, water utilities, state regulators, public health researchers, and affected communities will inform final rulemaking.
2027
2027 (est.)
Final rules expected — PFAS monitoring reporting begins
EPA is expected to finalize the rescission and extension rules in 2027. All water systems must complete initial PFAS monitoring and begin reporting results to customers by 2027 under the 2024 rule’s monitoring provisions (not subject to rescission). This means more complete PFAS data for Middle Tennessee utilities will become publicly available in 2027 CCRs.
Middle Tennessee: 2027 CCRs will include PFAS monitoring data for all utilities. This will be the most comprehensive PFAS dataset yet available for our city guides.
2031
April 2031 (proposed)
Revised PFOA/PFOS compliance deadline
If the extension rule is finalized, utilities with PFOA or PFOS above 4 ppt must achieve compliance by April 2031 rather than the original April 2029 date. Utilities must request the two-year exemption under the proposed framework and continue monitoring and public notification during the extension period.
Milcrofton UD and Spring Hill WD: If PFOA is currently below 4 ppt (only above EWG’s 0.5 ppt guideline), no action required under either the 2029 or 2031 deadline. Verify your current PFOA level in your utility’s most recent CCR.
Compliance Milestones 2025–2026
What changed at the individual utility level this year — positive developments, concerns to watch, and where each major utility stands on the key compliance indicators.
Perfect Score
100% TDEC sanitary survey score in 2025
CUD Rutherford, one of the two utilities serving Murfreesboro, received a 100% score on its TDEC sanitary survey in 2025. A sanitary survey is a comprehensive inspection of a water system’s source water, treatment, distribution, storage, and management practices. A perfect score indicates the utility is meeting all requirements across all categories. This is notable because Murfreesboro is one of Middle Tennessee’s most complex water quality situations — extremely hard water, two utilities with different contaminant profiles, and the MWRD chromium-6 finding. CUD Rutherford’s perfect sanitary survey score does not address the chromium-6 issue (which is specific to MWRD), but it confirms CUD Rutherford’s operational excellence.
Positive. CUD Rutherford customers have strong utility management on their side. MWRD chromium-6 concern is unchanged.
Murfreesboro Water Quality Guide →
Monitor
PFOA above EWG guideline — status unchanged; EPA extended deadline reduces compliance pressure
Milcrofton Utility District and Spring Hill Water Department continue to show PFOA above EWG’s 0.5 ppt health guideline per EWG Tap Water Database. Both remain below EPA’s 4 ppt PFOA MCL and are therefore in full legal compliance. The EPA’s proposed extension of the PFOA/PFOS compliance deadline to 2031 reduces near-term regulatory pressure on these utilities. However, the underlying PFOA detection has not changed. Tennessee Water Authority recommendation for Milcrofton UD and Spring Hill WD customers is unchanged: install an NSF/ANSI 58 certified under-sink RO system with PFOA specifically listed in the certification documentation.
Status unchanged. EPA rollback reduces regulatory pressure but does not reduce household exposure risk. RO remains recommended for these utility customers.
Spring Hill Water Quality Guide →
In Progress
Nashville MWS Lead Service Line Inventory continues — 2037 compliance deadline
Nashville MWS is actively conducting its Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) using XRF handheld devices to identify pipe materials property by property. The 2037 compliance deadline for full lead service line replacement under EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements remains in place. Nashville MWS continues its phosphate corrosion control program to minimize lead leaching from existing pipes. Free lead testing kits remain available for Nashville city water customers through the LSLI portal (bit.ly/MWSPIPE). Nashville stopped installing lead on the utility side in 1975 and on the private side in 1979, so the highest-risk properties are those built before those dates in neighborhoods like Germantown, East Nashville, and Sylvan Park.
Ongoing process. No new developments in 2026. Nashville customers in pre-1979 homes should request a free lead test through the LSLI portal.
Lead in Home Plumbing Guide →
2025 CCR Publication Tracker
Consumer Confidence Reports covering 2025 data are published by July 1, 2026. Tennessee Water Authority tracks CCR publication and will update city guides as each report is released. Reports confirmed published as of June 29, 2026:
All other utilities
Published by July 1, 2026
All utilities required by EPA to publish by July 1
View all city guides →
Looking Ahead: Key Dates for Middle Tennessee Water
The regulatory and utility milestones that matter most for Middle Tennessee homeowners in the next 1–5 years.
Jul
2026
2026
EPA PFAS comment deadline — July 20, 2026
Written comments on both proposed PFAS rules (rescission of 4 MCLs, PFOA/PFOS extension to 2031) close July 20. Submit comments at regulations.gov under Docket IDs EPA-HQ-OW-2025-0654 and EPA-HQ-OW-2025-1742. Virtual hearing was July 7.
2027
New CCR direct-URL delivery rule takes effect January 1, 2027
All Middle Tennessee utilities must deliver CCRs electronically via direct URL beginning with reports due July 1, 2027 (covering 2026 data). Tennessee Water Authority will update all city guide CCR links.
2027
First PFAS monitoring reporting to consumers required
All public water systems must complete initial PFAS monitoring and begin reporting results to customers by 2027. Middle Tennessee utilities with currently unconfirmed PFAS profiles will have verified data in their 2027 CCRs. College Grove area (Nolensville-College Grove UD, Milcrofton UD) and Thompsons Station utilities are of particular interest.
2030
Columbia rate increase program ends
The approved multi-year rate increase schedule for Columbia / Marshall County Water Authority runs through 2030. After 2030, rates are expected to stabilize at the new elevated baseline. Homeowners buying in Columbia should factor the cumulative rate trajectory into long-term cost projections.
2031
Revised PFOA/PFOS compliance deadline (proposed)
If EPA finalizes the extension rule, utilities with PFOA or PFOS above 4 ppt must achieve compliance by April 2031. Monitoring and reporting requirements remain in effect from 2027. Middle Tennessee utilities with PFOA detections (Milcrofton UD, Spring Hill WD) will need to confirm their levels against the 4 ppt MCL in future UCMR5 data.
2037
Nashville MWS lead service line replacement deadline
Nashville MWS must complete its Lead Service Line replacement program under EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements by 2037. The LSLI process continues through 2026–2027 with active replacement during construction activity. Pre-1979 Nashville homes are the highest priority.
Frequently Asked Questions 2026 Edition
Yes. Nashville Metro Water Services increased residential and commercial water and sewer rates by 3% effective January 1, 2026, reflected on February 2026 bills. This is in addition to the Water Infrastructure Replacement fee (10% of water service charges) and Sewer Infrastructure Replacement fee (10% of sewer service charges) that have been in place to fund aging infrastructure replacement. Nashville’s 2025 Consumer Confidence Report, published in May 2026, confirms zero violations, zero PFAS detected, and 5.9 GPG hardness unchanged from prior years.
In May 2025, EPA announced it would retain PFOA and PFOS MCLs at 4 ppt but extend the compliance deadline from 2029 to 2031. It also announced it would rescind the MCLs for four other PFAS compounds (PFHxS, PFNA, GenX, and PFBS Hazard Index). In May 2026, EPA published proposed rules to formally implement these changes. The comment period runs through July 20, 2026. PFOA and PFOS standards at 4 ppt remain fully in force during the rulemaking process. For Middle Tennessee: Milcrofton UD and Spring Hill WD customers with PFOA concerns are unaffected by the rollback — their PFOA levels are above EWG’s 0.5 ppt guideline but below the 4 ppt MCL, so they were already in compliance under the original rule. An NSF/ANSI 58 RO system remains the recommended precautionary treatment regardless of the regulatory status.
Smyrna Water System received the TDEC Award of Excellence for its 2025 CCR performance. CUD Rutherford (one of the two Murfreesboro utilities) earned a perfect 100% TDEC sanitary survey score in 2025. Both achievements reflect strong utility management and compliance culture. Smyrna WS also reported zero PFAS detected, zero lead in its distribution system, and zero violations — the primary ongoing challenge for Smyrna customers remains the extremely hard water at an estimated 10–14 GPG, which is a geological feature rather than a utility management issue.
For most Middle Tennessee residents: unchanged. The 17 major utilities in the Tennessee Water Authority guide series all maintained zero health violations in 2025. Water quality profiles — hardness levels, TTHM concentrations, chromium-6 findings, and PFAS status — are largely consistent with prior years. The two most meaningful changes are: (1) Nashville rates went up 3% — a cost change, not a quality change; and (2) EPA’s proposed PFAS rollback reduces near-term regulatory pressure on utilities nationally, but does not change the actual contaminant levels in your water. The utilities with PFAS concerns (Milcrofton UD, Spring Hill WD) still have the same PFOA levels as before. The recommendation for those customers is unchanged.
This page is updated once per year each June, after the July 1 CCR publication deadline has passed and 2025 CCR data is fully available. The next update will be published in June 2027 covering changes in 2026–2027, including the first full set of 2026 CCR data and the first reports compliant with the new direct-URL CCR delivery rule. Tennessee Water Authority will note the last-updated date prominently at the top of this page. Individual city guides are updated on a rolling basis as new CCR data becomes available throughout the year.
Know what’s in your specific water — not just the headlines.
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All city guides — 2025 CCR data