Legal limits do not equal optimal health. All contaminants on this page are within EPA legal limits. HUD's 2026 report states "our water meets all of the EPA's health standards." EWG exceedances reflect EWG's more conservative thresholds — not regulatory violations. This guide explains what's detected and what removes it.
Hendersonville water contains naturally occurring radioactive radium
Radium-226 and Radium-228 combined have been detected in Hendersonville Utility District's water above EWG's health guideline of 0.05 pCi/L. Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that dissolves from rocks and soil — particularly from the limestone and underlying geological formations that characterize Middle Tennessee's bedrock — into groundwater and surface water feeding Old Hickory Lake. This is not industrial contamination; it is geological. Radium is below the EPA legal limit of 5 pCi/L. Long-term exposure to radium in drinking water is associated with bone cancer risk. Radium is not removed by carbon filters — reverse osmosis is the most effective treatment, reducing radium by up to 95%.
2026 Official Water Quality Report — Hendersonville Utility District
Hendersonville Utility District publishes its annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) at hendutil.net. The 2026 report covers 2025 testing data. Key confirmed findings:
Source: Old Hickory Lake (fed by the Cumberland River) — intake near Rockland Park. Treatment: Membrane filter plant, 10 MGD capacity, 4.5 MGD average daily production. 12 total substances detected — all within EPA health standards. Lead & Copper: Zero households exceeded action level in most recent testing round. Turbidity: 99.96% of monthly samples below 0.3 NTU limit — exceeded the 95% requirement significantly. Total Organic Carbon: Treatment technique met for 2025. SWAP rating: Source water rated "reasonably susceptible" to potential contamination by TDEC. Contact: Steven Reppel (Water Plant Superintendent) 615-824-5550 · Joe Rewa (General Manager) 615-824-3717 · 125 Indian Lake Rd, Hendersonville TN 37075 · Board meets 3rd Monday monthly at 4pm.
Hendersonville Area Utilities at a Glance
Hendersonville (zip 37075) is served by two utilities depending on your location. Hendersonville Utility District serves most city residents directly from Old Hickory Lake. White House Utility District (WHUD) — Tennessee's largest utility — also serves parts of the area from the same Old Hickory Lake source at their Hendersonville treatment facility.
Hendersonville Utility District (HUD)
White House Utility District (WHUD)
Old Hickory Lake — the source for all of Hendersonville's water
Both utilities serving Hendersonville draw from Old Hickory Lake, a reservoir created by the Old Hickory Dam on the Cumberland River in 1954. The lake is known for its high-quality raw water — HUD's 2026 CCR describes it as having "high-quality raw water before treatment." However, the Cumberland River watershed flows through Tennessee's limestone geology, picking up naturally occurring minerals including radium. Chlorination of the lake water to kill pathogens produces disinfection byproducts — the same TTHMs and HAAs seen across Middle Tennessee surface water utilities.
Contaminants Exceeding EWG Health Guidelines
All contaminants below are within EPA legal limits. HUD's 2026 report confirms full compliance. "Above EWG guideline" means detection above EWG's more conservative health thresholds — not a regulatory violation.
Hendersonville Water Quality — All 7 Concerns at a Glance
| Contaminant | EWG Guideline | HUD Level | Category | Best Filter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radium-226+228 | 0.05 pCi/L | Above EWG · below EPA 5 pCi/L | Natural radioactive element | Reverse Osmosis / Ion Exchange |
| Bromodichloromethane | 0.06 ppb | Above EWG | Disinfection byproduct (TTHM) | Carbon / RO |
| Chloroform | 0.4 ppb | Above EWG | Disinfection byproduct (TTHM) | Carbon / RO |
| Total TTHMs | 0.15 ppb / 80 ppb | Above EWG · within EPA limit | Disinfection byproduct group | Carbon / RO |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | EWG guideline | Above EWG | Haloacetic acid (HAA) | Carbon / RO |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | EWG guideline | Above EWG | Haloacetic acid (HAA) | Carbon / RO |
| Nitrate | 0.14 ppm / 10 ppm | Above EWG · well within EPA | Agricultural runoff | Reverse Osmosis only |
| Lead (most recent) | 0 | 0/0 exceeded action level | Plumbing — within legal limits | RO / Lead-certified carbon |
| Total substances detected | — | 12 (2026 CCR) | All within EPA legal limits | — |
Important context on Hendersonville's radium: Radium in Hendersonville water is a geological reality, not an industrial contamination event. Middle Tennessee's limestone and sedimentary bedrock naturally contains trace amounts of radium that dissolve into the Cumberland River and Old Hickory Lake. HUD cannot "fix" this through treatment upgrades the way a utility might address chlorination byproducts. The levels are below the EPA legal limit and HUD is in full compliance. The concern is long-term chronic exposure — addressed effectively at the household level with reverse osmosis.
HUD Infrastructure — What's Being Built in 2026-2027
Hendersonville Utility District's 2026 Water Quality Report includes the utility's active construction project list — a sign of ongoing investment in the water system serving 56,000+ residents.
2026–2027 HUD Construction Projects
These active projects indicate HUD is investing in water system reliability and capacity for Hendersonville's growing population. Membrane filter replacement is particularly notable — membranes are the core of HUD's advanced treatment process that removes turbidity and pathogen risks.
What Hard Water Is Doing to Your Home Every Day
Old Hickory Lake water flows through Tennessee's limestone geology, picking up calcium and magnesium that water treatment does not remove. Hendersonville residents see the daily effects — these aren't cleaning product problems, they're hard water problems.
Calcium and magnesium ions disrupt the skin's moisture barrier after showering, causing dryness and irritation. Research links water hardness to eczema severity in children. Hard water coats the hair shaft with mineral deposits — hair feels rough, dull, and color-treated hair fades faster. A softener or KDF showerhead filter addresses this directly.
White spots and cloudy film are calcium carbonate — the same mineral as limestone. When Old Hickory Lake hard water evaporates in your dishwasher, minerals bond to surfaces and won't wash off. Dishwasher detergent needs 50–75% more product to lather effectively in hard water. A softener eliminates spotting entirely.
Mineral deposits build up in fabric fibers — clothes feel stiff, whites yellow, colors fade faster, towels lose absorbency. Clothes washed in hard water wear out up to 15% faster. A softener restores detergent effectiveness and extends garment life significantly.
Scale on water heater elements reduces efficiency 8% per GPG (U.S. Dept. of Energy). At Hendersonville's moderate hardness, scale accumulates gradually in hot water systems. Dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers degrade faster without softened water. Tankless water heater heat exchangers are particularly sensitive to scale.
Old Hickory Lake Limestone Hard Water in Hendersonville
Old Hickory Lake is fed by the Cumberland River, which flows through Tennessee's extensive limestone geology. Hendersonville's water is typically moderately hard — softer than many Middle Tennessee cities because Old Hickory Lake's reservoir aging and depth moderates the mineral content somewhat compared to direct river intakes. Private wells in Sumner County limestone aquifers can be substantially harder.
Hendersonville Hard Water Impact Calculator
Enter your water's hardness reading to see classification, appliance lifespan impact, and recommended softener size.
Old Hickory Lake Limestone Hard Water Impact Calculator
Defaults set to Hendersonville's typical city water estimate. Adjust to match your specific test results.
Soft 3.5 GPG
Slightly Hard 7 GPG
Hard 10.5 GPG
Extremely Hard
Eco120°F
Standard130°F140°F
Tankless
PPM / mg/L
Grains per gallon
0–3 Mod. Hard
3–5 Hard
7–10 Extremely Hard
10.5+
Hendersonville Area Water Guide by Location
Hendersonville (37075) is primarily served by Hendersonville Utility District. Parts of the broader area may be served by WHUD. Check your water bill to confirm.
Find Your Area
Protecting Children & Pregnant Women in Hendersonville
Children and pregnant women face elevated risk from several contaminants detected in Hendersonville water — not because the water violates safety standards, but because developing bodies and fetuses are more vulnerable to the same exposures that adults tolerate better. Here's what parents and expectant mothers in Hendersonville specifically need to know.
Radium is chemically similar to calcium — the body treats it the same way. In adults, this means radium can deposit in bone tissue. In children whose bones are actively growing, the uptake risk is higher because developing bone tissue incorporates calcium-like minerals rapidly. Pregnant women also face elevated concern because radium can cross the placental barrier. An under-sink reverse osmosis system used for all drinking water and formula preparation is the most effective protective step — RO removes up to 95% of radium.
Disinfection byproducts — bromodichloromethane, chloroform, and haloacetic acids — have been linked in epidemiological studies to pregnancy complications including low birth weight, preterm birth, and neural tube defects at sustained exposure levels. The first trimester is the highest-risk window. The exposure that matters most during pregnancy is ingested water (drinking and cooking) — a reverse osmosis system at the kitchen tap provides the most complete protection during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Nitrate at high concentrations can cause methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome") in infants under six months — a condition where the blood loses the ability to carry oxygen effectively. Hendersonville's nitrate is well below the 10 ppm EPA acute limit, but if you are mixing infant formula with tap water, using an RO-filtered source eliminates this concern entirely. Boiling water does NOT remove nitrate — it concentrates it. Use RO-filtered or bottled water for formula.
HUD's most recent lead testing shows zero households exceeded the action level — a strong positive. However, lead in drinking water comes from home plumbing, not the utility supply. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder at joints. Children under 6 and pregnant women are most vulnerable to lead — there is no safe level of lead exposure for young children. Three precautions: (1) Use cold water only for drinking and cooking — hot water mobilizes lead faster. (2) Flush the tap for 30 seconds if water has sat overnight before using it. (3) Use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter or RO for all drinking water in older homes.
Chlorine Residual in Hendersonville Water
Hendersonville Utility District and surrounding Sumner County utilities use chlorine as their primary disinfectant. While chlorine effectively kills bacteria and viruses, the residual that reaches your tap is worth knowing — especially because it directly drives the formation of the disinfection byproducts (TTHMs, HAAs, chloroform, bromodichloromethane) that are Clarksville’s biggest water quality concerns.
Hendersonville tap water runs at pool-level chlorine concentration
Hendersonville-area utilities run chlorine residuals estimated at approximately 1.50–1.65 ppm at the tap — within the typical range for Old Hickory Lake source water utilities. For comparison, the EPA-recommended range for a swimming pool is 1.0–3.0 ppm — meaning your Hendersonville tap water contains chlorine at roughly the same concentration as pool water. This is within legal limits and effective for disinfection, but it is the direct cause of the elevated TTHMs and haloacetic acids in Hendersonville water. An NSF/ANSI 42-certified activated carbon filter removes chlorine taste and odor completely and reduces the formation of disinfection byproducts at the point of use.
Bottom line: You cannot taste or smell chlorine at ~1.58 ppm the way you do in a pool because pool water is on your skin, not passing through your palate. But the chemistry is the same — and in Clarksville water it reacts with source water organic matter to form TTHMs and haloacetic acids above EWG guidelines. A whole-house activated carbon system is the most effective way to intercept chlorine before it reacts with your pipes and fixtures.
What chlorine at pool levels does to your body and home
Chlorine strips the skin’s natural oils and disrupts the moisture barrier. At ~1.58 ppm — daily shower exposure — it causes dryness, itching, and irritation. People with eczema or sensitive skin often notice significant improvement after installing a whole-home carbon filtration system.
Chlorine oxidizes hair proteins, breaking down the outer cuticle layer. This causes dryness, frizz, brittleness, and color fade in dyed hair. At pool-range concentrations, daily washing strips the natural sebum that keeps hair supple. A shower-head carbon filter or whole-house system prevents this entirely.
Chlorine is an antimicrobial agent — that is exactly why utilities use it. Consumed daily in drinking water, it does not distinguish between harmful pathogens and beneficial gut microbiome bacteria. Emerging research links chronic chlorinated water consumption to microbiome disruption and digestive sensitivity. An under-sink carbon or RO filter removes chlorine from drinking water completely.
Chlorine bleaches and degrades fabric fibers over time, causing colors to fade faster, whites to yellow, and fabrics to wear thin sooner than they should. This is especially noticeable on dark clothing and athletic wear. Whole-house activated carbon filtration extends the life of clothes and towels significantly — a measurable return on investment over time.
The same pool-level chlorine that causes red, irritated eyes when swimming is present in your shower steam. Daily inhalation of chlorinated steam during showers exposes mucous membranes to chlorine gas byproducts. People with asthma or respiratory sensitivity often notice shower-steam irritation that disappears after installing a carbon shower filter.
Dogs and cats absorb chlorine through their skin and ingest it while drinking tap water. Many pet owners report improved coat condition after switching to filtered water. Chlorinated water also stresses chlorine-sensitive houseplants — fiddle leaf figs, ferns, and tropical plants in particular. Letting tap water sit overnight allows some chlorine to off-gas, but carbon filtration removes it completely and instantly.
Chlorine and newborn health in Hendersonville
Infants under 12 months should not drink tap water containing chlorine without filtration — including water used to mix formula. Clarksville’s verified ~1.58 ppm chlorine residual is the highest in the Middle Tennessee guide series — nearly double Nashville’s 1.60 ppm. The EPA sets no specific infant standard for chlorine, but pediatric health research consistently identifies disinfection byproducts (TTHMs, HAAs) from Duck River chlorination as a concern for early-life exposure.
Chlorine and its byproducts (TTHMs, HAAs) concentrate in formula made with unfiltered tap water. At ~1.58 ppm — at the top of the pool range — Clarksville tap water carries the highest disinfection byproduct formation potential of any city in this series. An NSF/ANSI 42 activated carbon filter at the kitchen tap removes chlorine completely before mixing.
A newborn’s gut microbiome is still colonizing in the first months of life. Chlorine is antimicrobial by design — it does not distinguish between pathogens and beneficial bacteria. Filtered water is recommended for all infant consumption during this critical developmental window.
A newborn’s skin is 20–30% thinner than adult skin and absorbs chlorine during bathing. Pool-level residuals in tap water dry and irritate the developing skin barrier. A whole-home carbon filter removes chlorine from bath water — the most complete protection for infants bathing daily.
Chlorine off-gasses from warm water. During an infant bath or humidifier use with unfiltered tap water, the baby inhales chlorinated steam — a concern for developing lungs and airways. Whole-home carbon filtration removes chlorine before it reaches the tap, eliminating this exposure pathway.
If you have a newborn or are expecting: An NSF/ANSI 42 activated carbon filter at the kitchen tap removes chlorine from drinking and formula water. A whole-home carbon system removes it from bath water and humidifiers as well. At Clarksville’s ~1.58 ppm level — the highest in Middle Tennessee — this is the single most important water filter investment for any household with a newborn.
The fix is simple and affordable. An NSF/ANSI 42-certified activated carbon filter — whether whole-house or under-sink — removes chlorine completely at the point of use. For Hendersonville homes concerned about chlorine and Old Hickory Lake disinfection byproducts, TTHMs, HAAs), a whole-house carbon system addresses both problems in one installation. See the filter recommendations below for Hendersonville-specific sizing and pricing.
Filter Recommendations for Hendersonville Homes
Filter Recommendations for Hendersonville Homes
Hendersonville's water profile has two key concerns that differ somewhat from typical Middle Tennessee cities: radium (naturally occurring radioactive element — requires RO, not just carbon) and standard disinfection byproducts from Old Hickory Lake chlorination. The radium finding makes reverse osmosis particularly important for Hendersonville drinking water.
The Hendersonville Water Treatment Recommendation
The radium distinction: Standard activated carbon filters — even high-quality whole-house systems — do not remove radium. If radium is your primary concern, a reverse osmosis system under the kitchen sink is the correct and effective solution for drinking and cooking water. The whole-house carbon filter handles the DBP exposure that carbon is designed for.
Get a personalized recommendation for your Hendersonville address.
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