What’s in your Nashville tap water — verified from three official 2025 CCRs covering Nashville Metro Water Services, Harpeth Valley Utility District, and Madison Suburban Utility District. Nashville MWS: zero violations in 2025, hardness confirmed 5.88 GPG, lead 0 of 85 exceeded action level. HVUD: PFAS not detected in 2023 testing. MSUD: perfect 100% Sanitary Survey score 2024. All three draw from the Cumberland River. Here’s what every number means and what removes it.
Cumberland River and downtown Nashville — Nashville Metro Water Services draws from this river, treating it to serve 755,890 Davidson County residents.
2025 CCR verified: Nashville Metro Water Services 2025 CCR confirmed — zero violations. HVUD 2025/26 CCR confirmed. MSUD 2025 CCR (2024 data) confirmed. All utilities in full EPA compliance April–June 2024.
Legal limits do not equal optimal health. All contaminants on this page are within EPA legal limits. Nashville Metro Water received zero drinking water violations in 2025. EWG exceedances reflect EWG’s more conservative health thresholds — not regulatory violations. Nashville’s water is legally safe to drink.
2025 Official CCR Data — Nashville Metro Water Services
Nashville Metro Water Services published its 2025 Consumer Confidence Report in May 2026. Director Scott Potter confirmed zero drinking water violations across 105 tested substances. The Cumberland River source is rated highly susceptible to potential contamination by TDEC — but MWS operates two treatment plants with the ability to withdraw at multiple river levels to minimize contamination risk.
Hardness avg 2025 (100.5 mg/L) “Moderately hard” per MWS
0
Drinking water violations in 2025 105 substances tested
0/85
Households exceeding lead AL Lead 90th%: 0.8 ppb (2025)
Verified from Nashville Metro Water Services 2025 CCR (published May 2026, Director Scott Potter)
TTHMs: 43.5 ppb highest LRAA (range 13.4–65.5 ppb) — within EPA 80 ppb limit. HAA5: 27.8 ppb highest LRAA (range 7.8–36.0 ppb) — within EPA 60 ppb limit. Nitrate: 0.362 ppm (0.336–0.392). Fluoride: 0.67 ppm (0.56–0.75). Sodium: 12.20 ppm (11.7–12.9). Chlorine: 1.60 ppm (0.8–2.8). Turbidity: 99.9% of samples below 0.3 NTU; max 0.56 NTU. E. Coli: 0 positive samples. Lead (2025): 0.8 ppb 90th percentile, 0 of 85 exceeded AL (range <0.10–7.1 ppb). Copper (2025): 0.130 ppm, 0 of 85 exceeded AL. Hardness: 100.5 mg/L average (88.5–128.4 range) = 5.88 GPG = “moderately hard” per MWS. Source: Cumberland River. K.R. Harrington plant (up to 112 MGD, opened 1976) + Omohundro plant (up to 90 MGD, opened 1889). 226,500+ customers. 3,100+ miles of water main. System TN0000494: ZERO drinking water violations in 2025.
Verified from Harpeth Valley Utility District 2025/26 CCR
TTHMs 2025: 40.1 ppb highest LRAA (range 20.8–48.6) — within EPA 80 ppb limit. HAA5: 27.6 ppb (13.4–34.2) — within EPA 60 ppb. Chlorine: 1.50 ppm avg (0.30–2.35). Fluoride: 0.53 ppm (0.25–0.65). Nitrate: 0.35 ppm. Sodium: 9.84 ppm. Turbidity: 100% of monthly samples below 0.3 NTU. Hardness: 98 PPM average (80–128) = 5.73 GPG. Lead (2023): 4.7 ppb 90th%, 0 of 30 exceeded AL. Copper (2023): 0.061 ppm. PFAS (2023): PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, GenX, PFNA, PFBS — all no detection. No lead service lines found in entire HVUD service area. Source: Cumberland River at Cheatham Lake. TDEC: reasonably susceptible. Contact: customerservice@hvud.com · 615-352-7076.
Verified from Madison Suburban Utility District 2025 Annual CCR (2024 data)
TTHMs 2024: 50 ppb highest LRAA (range 20–60) — within EPA 80 ppb. HAA5: 30 ppb (20–40). Chlorine: 1.73 ppm avg (0.52–3.00). Nitrate: 0.386 ppm. Sodium: 9.64 ppm. Fluoride: 0.65 ppm (0.56–0.70). Lead (2023): ≤1.0 ppb (0/30 exceeded AL). Copper (2023): 0.183 ppm (0/30 exceeded AL). Turbidity: 100% of daily samples below 0.15 NTU. 2024 TDEC Sanitary Survey: 100% perfect score. Source: Cumberland River (Cheatham Reservoir Watershed). TDEC: highly susceptible. No lead detected in MSUD system. Contact: 615-868-3201 or WTP 615-865-1636 · 721 Myatt Drive, Madison TN 37115.
Your Three Nashville-Area Utilities at a Glance
Nashville and Davidson County are served by three utilities depending on your specific address. Nashville Metro Water Services covers the majority of Davidson County. HVUD covers southwest Nashville and Bellevue. MSUD covers Madison and northern Davidson County. Check your water bill to confirm which utility serves your address.
Nashville: one Cumberland River, three treatment stories
All three Nashville-area utilities draw from the same source: the Cumberland River, which loops through Nashville on its way from the Cumberland Plateau in Kentucky to the Ohio River. Each utility treats water independently at different intake points — which is why TTHM levels, PFAS results, and EWG exceedance counts differ. Nashville MWS draws near downtown at two historic plants; HVUD draws at Cheatham Lake in the southwest; MSUD draws from the Cheatham Reservoir Watershed to the north.
898K+
People served across all three utilities combined
Zero
Nashville MWS drinking water violations in 2025 — testing 105 substances
HVUD PFAS result (2023) — PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, GenX, PFNA, PFBS all not detected
Contaminants Exceeding EWG Health Guidelines
All contaminants below are within EPA legal limits. Nashville MWS and HVUD 2025 CCR figures are the most current verified data. MSUD figures are from its 2025 CCR (reflecting 2024 testing). EWG figures for all three are from EWG’s historical database (2013–2023).
Disinfection Byproducts — Primary concern from Cumberland River chlorination
Bromodichloromethane
Disinfection Byproduct (TTHM)
102x
MSUD 6.14 ppb — highest of three utilities above EWG 0.06 ppb
Nashville MWS (EWG historical)
1.60 ppb · 27x EWG
below TN avg (3.91) · well below national (5.89)
Harpeth Valley UD (EWG historical)
5.97 ppb · 100x EWG
above TN avg (3.91) · slightly above national avg (5.89)
Madison Suburban UD (EWG historical)
6.14 ppb · 102x EWG
above TN avg (3.91) · above national avg (5.89)
Health concern: Cancer risk and harm to fetal development. Notable contrast: Nashville MWS’s 1.60 ppb bromodichloromethane is well below Tennessee’s state average (3.91 ppb) and the national average (5.89 ppb), reflecting the relatively lower TTHM profile of the downtown Cumberland River intake points. HVUD (5.97 ppb) and MSUD (6.14 ppb) are both above the state average, reflecting higher organic matter at the Cheatham Lake section of the river. All within EPA legal limits. Whole-house activated carbon is the most effective treatment throughout the home.
Total TTHMs & Haloacetic Acids — All Three 2025 CCRs Verified
Key context: Nashville MWS’s seasonal range (13.4–65.5 ppb) is the widest of the three — reflecting the Cumberland River’s higher organic matter load in summer near downtown Nashville. HVUD’s 40.1 ppb LRAA is the lowest. MSUD’s 50 ppb LRAA is the highest, with a range reaching 60 ppb. All three are well within the 80 ppb EPA limit. Whole-house activated carbon reduces TTHMs and HAAs at every tap and shower.
PFAS "Forever Chemicals" — Above EWG for Nashville MWS; Not Detected for HVUD
PFOA & PFOS (Forever Chemicals)
PFAS — detected above EWG in Nashville MWS; not detected at HVUD (2023)
Mixed
Nashville MWS: above EWG (0.09 ppt) · HVUD: all ND 2023 · MSUD: not specified
Nashville MWS (EWG historical)
PFOA above EWG guideline
EWG: 0.09 ppt · EPA MCL: 4 ppt (2024)
Harpeth Valley UD (2023 CCR)
PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, GenX, PFNA, PFBS — all Not Detected
Quarterly PFAS sampling 2023 — all ND
Madison Suburban UD
Not reported in 2025 CCR
No PFAS data in current available CCR
Health concern: Cancer, immune suppression, thyroid disruption. EPA finalized a 4 ppt MCL for PFOA/PFOS in April 2024 — utilities have until 2029 to comply. Nashville MWS’s Cumberland River downtown intake has PFOA above EWG’s conservative 0.09 ppt guideline per historical EWG data. HVUD’s 2023 quarterly PFAS sampling found all six tested compounds not detected — a meaningful positive for Bellevue and southwest Nashville residents. Reverse osmosis is the most complete household PFAS treatment.
Industrial Contaminants
Chromium (Hexavalent / Cr-6)
Industrial / Naturally Occurring
Above EWG
Nashville MWS & HVUD · EWG: 0.02 ppb · no federal MCL for Cr-6
Nashville MWS / HVUD
Chromium-6 above EWG guideline (0.02 ppb)
No separate EPA MCL for hexavalent chromium
Source
Naturally occurring in Cumberland River watershed mineral deposits plus some industrial activity. Common in Middle Tennessee surface water utilities. Reverse osmosis or ion exchange removes it most effectively.
Health concern: Known human carcinogen. Carbon filters are NOT effective for Cr-6. Reverse osmosis required.
Health concern: EWG concern at chronic low-level exposure. All three utilities are well within the EPA 10 ppm acute limit. No acute risk for adults. Carbon filters do NOT remove nitrate — reverse osmosis required. Use RO-filtered water for infant formula as a precaution for infants under 6 months.
All Three Utilities — Side-by-Side Comparison
Contaminant
EWG Guideline / EPA Limit
Nashville MWS TN0000494 (2025)
Harpeth Valley UD TN0000286 (2025)
Madison Suburban UD TN0000424 (2024 data)
Bromodichloromethane
0.06 ppb (EWG)
1.60 ppb · 27x
5.97 ppb · 100x
6.14 ppb · 102x
TTHMs (LRAA)
0.15 ppb / 80 ppb
43.5 ppb (13.4–65.5)
40.1 ppb (20.8–48.6)
50 ppb (20–60)
HAA5 (LRAA)
0.1 ppb / 60 ppb
27.8 ppb (7.8–36.0)
27.6 ppb (13.4–34.2)
30 ppb (20–40)
PFOA / PFOS
0.09 ppt / 4 ppt
Above EWG (EWG data)
Not detected (2023)
Not reported
Chromium-6
0.02 ppb
Above EWG
Above EWG
Not in CCR
Nitrate
0.14 ppm / 10 ppm
0.362 ppm · 2.6x (2025)
0.35 ppm · 2.5x (2025)
0.386 ppm · 2.8x (2024)
Lead (most recent)
0 / AL 15 ppb
0.8 ppb 90th% · 0/85 exceeded AL (2025)
4.7 ppb 90th% · 0/30 exceeded AL (2023)
≤1.0 ppb 90th% · 0/30 exceeded AL (2023)
Hardness (verified)
—
100.5 mg/L avg · 5.88 GPG (2025)
98 PPM avg · 5.73 GPG (2025)
Not in CCR
Chlorine
—
1.60 ppm avg (2025)
1.50 ppm avg (2025)
1.73 ppm avg (2024)
Above EWG / Total
—
7 of 11
10 of 16
10 of 17
Violations 2024/25
—
Zero (2025)
Zero (2025)
Zero (2024)
Protecting Children & Pregnant Women in Nashville
Children and pregnant women face elevated risk from several Nashville-area water contaminants. The good news: Nashville MWS lead testing shows 0 of 85 households exceeding the action level in 2025. TTHMs and PFOA remain the primary concerns for prenatal and early childhood health.
TTHMs, HAAs & Pregnancy
Disinfection byproducts have been linked in studies to pregnancy complications — low birth weight, preterm birth, and neural tube defects. Nashville MWS’s seasonal highs (up to 65.5 ppb) occur in summer when organic matter in the Cumberland River peaks. MSUD’s highs reach 60 ppb. The first trimester is the highest-risk window. An under-sink RO system provides the most complete protection for drinking and cooking water during pregnancy.
Lead at the Tap — Excellent 2025 Results
Nashville MWS 2025: 0 of 85 households exceeded lead action level; 90th percentile of 0.8 ppb is very low. HVUD 2023: 4.7 ppb 90th% (0/30 exceeded AL). MSUD 2023: ≤1.0 ppb (0/30 exceeded AL). Despite these excellent system-level results, lead comes from home plumbing in older buildings. Pre-1986 homes may have lead solder. Children under 6 and pregnant women are most vulnerable. Always use cold tap water; flush 30 seconds if water has sat overnight.
Nitrate & Infants Under 6 Months
All three utilities are well within the EPA 10 ppm acute nitrate limit — MWS 0.362 ppm, HVUD 0.35 ppm, MSUD 0.386 ppm. No acute risk. However, for infants under 6 months, use RO-filtered water for all formula preparation. Never boil tap water for infant formula — boiling concentrates nitrate rather than removing it.
PFOA & Children’s Development
PFOA is detected above EWG guidelines in Nashville MWS water. Studies link PFAS to immune suppression, thyroid disruption, and developmental effects in children exposed during pregnancy and early childhood. HVUD customers have a meaningful positive: all PFAS compounds tested ND in 2023. For Nashville MWS customers, reverse osmosis is the most complete household PFAS treatment.
Four actions for Nashville families with young children or pregnancy
1.Install an NSF/ANSI 58 certified RO system at the kitchen sink — removes TTHMs, HAAs, PFOA, nitrate, and chromium-6 from drinking and cooking water.
2.Use RO-filtered water for all infant formula preparation — never boiled tap water (boiling concentrates nitrate).
3.Add a whole-house carbon filter to reduce TTHM and HAA exposure during bathing and showering — important during first trimester.
4.In older Nashville homes (pre-1986), flush cold tap 30 seconds before using water that has sat overnight. Never use hot tap water for drinking or formula. Nashville MWS’s lead results are excellent but home plumbing still matters.
Your Pets & Nashville Water Quality
The same contaminants in Nashville’s water affect your pets — and smaller animals face proportionally larger impacts. HVUD’s PFAS-not-detected result is a positive for Bellevue pets too, since PFAS accumulates in animal tissue the same way it does in humans.
Dogs & Cats — Body Weight Matters
A 15-pound dog drinking the same TTHM-level water as a 160-pound adult receives roughly 10x the relative exposure per pound of body weight. Long-term TTHM exposure has been associated with elevated bladder cancer risk in some dog breeds. PFOA accumulates in animal tissue over a lifetime of tap water consumption. Fill your pet’s bowl from your RO-filtered tap.
Small Animals, Birds & Reptiles
Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and birds have tiny body masses — their relative contaminant exposure per unit body weight is far higher than a human’s. At Nashville’s levels there is no acute risk, but chronic lifetime exposure is a real consideration. RO-filtered water is strongly recommended for all small caged animals and birds.
Aquarium Fish & Aquatic Pets
Chlorine in Nashville tap water (MWS: 1.60 ppm; HVUD: 1.50 ppm; MSUD: 1.73 ppm) is directly toxic to fish and aquarium invertebrates at concentrations safe for humans. Never add untreated tap water to a fish tank. Activated carbon removes free chlorine. RO is the gold standard for sensitive species, reef tanks, and shrimp. Never boil tap water for aquarium use — it removes oxygen but not chloramine or TTHMs.
What to Do for Your Pets
Dogs and cats: RO-filtered tap water for their bowl. Whole-house carbon is a meaningful improvement. Small animals and birds: RO or filtered water strongly recommended. Fish: Always dechlorinate tap water before adding to tanks. Use RO for sensitive species. Never boil tap water for aquarium use.
What Hard Water Is Doing to Your Nashville Home Every Day
Nashville Metro Water’s 2025 CCR confirms hardness at 100.5 mg/L (5.88 GPG) — moderately hard. HVUD’s 2025 CCR confirms 98 PPM (5.73 GPG). The Cumberland River picks up calcium and magnesium from Tennessee’s limestone geology. Treatment does not remove hardness. These daily effects are chemistry problems, not cleaning problems.
Skin & Hair
At 5.73–5.88 GPG, calcium and magnesium ions disrupt the skin’s moisture barrier after showering — dryness, irritation, and eczema risk for children. Hard water coats hair with mineral deposits making it feel rough and dull. Color-treated hair fades faster. A softener or KDF showerhead filter addresses this at the source.
Dishes & Glassware
White spots and cloudy film are calcium carbonate — limestone in liquid form. Nashville MWS’s hardness range (88.5–128.4 mg/L) means seasonal variation in spotting severity. Dishwasher detergent needs 50–75% more product in hard water. A softener eliminates spotting entirely.
Laundry
Mineral deposits build up in fabric fibers — clothes feel stiff, whites yellow, colors fade, towels lose absorbency. Clothes washed in hard water wear out up to 15% faster. A softener restores detergent effectiveness and extends garment life significantly in Nashville’s growth-area new construction.
Water Heater & Appliances
Scale reduces water heater efficiency 8% per GPG (U.S. Dept. of Energy). Nashville’s seasonal hardness highs (up to 128.4 mg/L / 7.51 GPG for MWS) reach the Hard zone. Nashville’s enormous new construction wave — new homes with tankless water heaters — is especially sensitive to scale buildup on heat exchangers.
Cumberland River Limestone Hard Water in Nashville
Nashville Metro Water’s 2025 CCR officially confirms hardness at 100.5 mg/L average (88.5–128.4 range), equal to 5.88 GPG average — classified as “moderately hard” by MWS. HVUD’s 2025/26 CCR confirms 98 PPM average (80–128 range), equal to 5.73 GPG. The CCR notes: “Nashville’s water is considered moderately hard.” The upper seasonal range (128.4 mg/L = 7.51 GPG) reaches the Hard zone.
5.88 GPG
Nashville MWS 2025 official average (100.5 mg/L) — “moderately hard”
Moderately Hard (MWS 2025 verified)
5.73 GPG
HVUD 2025/26 CCR average (98 PPM) — similarly moderately hard
Moderately Hard (HVUD 2025 verified)
5.17–7.51 GPG
Nashville MWS 2025 annual range (88.5–128.4 mg/L) — upper range = Hard zone
Nashville Hard Water Impact Calculator
Default set to Nashville Metro Water’s 2025 verified average of 5.88 GPG (100.5 mg/L). HVUD customers: 5.73 GPG (98 PPM). Adjust to match your specific test results.
Cumberland River Limestone Hard Water Impact Calculator
Default: Nashville MWS 2025 official average 5.88 GPG (100.5 mg/L). HVUD verified: 5.73 GPG (98 PPM).
Cumberland River limestone minerals accumulate gradually in hot water systems
Estimated Appliance Lifespan Reduction
29% Faster Degradation
vs. a home with soft water (0–1 GPG)
Water heater efficiency loss
-12%
Scale on heating elements
Dishwasher & washer lifespan
-20%
Mineral buildup
Recommended softener size
32,000 grain system
WQA sizing for your household & hardness
At 6 GPG — near Nashville MWS’s 2025 verified average (5.88 GPG). Scale builds gradually in hot water systems. A softener is beneficial for appliance protection and eliminates daily effects on skin, hair, laundry, and dishes.
Nashville Neighborhood Water Guide
Which utility serves your Nashville address depends on your location in Davidson County. Most of the city is served by Nashville Metro Water Services. Bellevue and the southwest are served by Harpeth Valley Utility District. Madison and northern Davidson County are served by Madison Suburban Utility District. Every neighborhood below draws from the Cumberland River — but each utility treats it independently, giving each area a distinct contaminant and hardness profile.
Downtown & Central Urban Core
The Gulch
37203
Utility
Nashville Metro Water Services
Upscale luxury high-rise district immediately southwest of downtown. New construction throughout — most buildings have modern plumbing with minimal lead risk. Nashville MWS: TTHMs 43.5 ppb, hardness 5.88 GPG, lead 0/85 exceeded AL (2025). High-rise residents often have building-level filtration; confirm with your building manager.
Germantown
37208
Utility
Nashville Metro Water Services
Historic district with Victorian-era homes, brick sidewalks, and the Nashville Farmers’ Market. Lead note: Older Victorian homes may have pre-1986 plumbing with lead solder at joints. Flush cold tap 30 seconds before use if water has sat overnight. An NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter is recommended for drinking water in original historic homes.
SoBro (South of Broadway)
37203
Utility
Nashville Metro Water Services
Convention center district, large hotels, and nightlife hub south of Lower Broadway. Primarily commercial and hospitality buildings; residential towers are largely new construction with modern plumbing. Nashville MWS: TTHMs 43.5 ppb avg, zero violations 2025, chlorine 1.60 ppm.
Midtown / Vanderbilt
37203, 37212
Utility
Nashville Metro Water Services
Dense urban area west of downtown anchored by Vanderbilt University. Mix of student housing, older apartment buildings, and newer construction. Nashville MWS serves the entire area. Older rental properties near campus may have aging interior plumbing — renters should consider a countertop or faucet-mount filter for drinking water.
Trendy & Walkable Hotspots
12 South
37204
Utility
Nashville Metro Water Services
One of Nashville’s most walkable and sought-after neighborhoods, with boutique shops, coffee shops, and beautifully restored early 20th-century bungalows. The restored historic homes are charming — and may have older interior plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, flush cold tap before drinking and use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter. Nashville MWS: zero violations 2025, lead 0/85 exceeded AL.
East Nashville
37206, 37216
Utility
Nashville Metro Water Services
Creative and diverse enclave east of the Cumberland River, known for innovative restaurants, vintage boutiques, and historic bungalows. Many East Nashville homes are Craftsman bungalows and early 20th-century builds. Lead note for older homes: pre-1986 plumbing may have lead solder. Nashville MWS’s 2025 CCR shows 0/85 exceeded lead AL, but individual homes vary. Flush cold tap 30 seconds before use in original bungalows.
Wedgewood-Houston (WeHo)
37203, 37210
Utility
Nashville Metro Water Services
Rapidly growing arts district of converted warehouses, galleries, craft distilleries, and mural installations south of downtown. A mix of former industrial buildings converted to residential lofts and new construction. Industrial building conversions may have varied plumbing histories — confirm plumbing age with building management. Nashville MWS: TTHMs 43.5 ppb avg, hardness 5.88 GPG, zero violations 2025.
The Nations
37209
Utility
Nashville Metro Water Services
Formerly industrial West Nashville neighborhood transformed into a hub of breweries, new construction, and community living near Charlotte Pike. Abundant new construction with modern plumbing — lower lead risk from home plumbing than older Nashville neighborhoods. Nashville MWS: TTHMs 43.5 ppb avg, zero violations 2025, chlorine 1.60 ppm avg.
Residential & Historic Communities
Hillsboro Village & Belmont
37212
Utility
Nashville Metro Water Services
Charming, tree-lined neighborhoods adjacent to Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities, with local shops, neighborhood markets, and historic architecture. A beloved residential enclave with a mix of older homes and newer builds. Pre-1986 homes may have lead solder; renters in older apartment buildings should flush cold tap before use. Nashville MWS: hardness 5.88 GPG avg, zero violations 2025.
Green Hills & Belle Meade
37215, 37205
Utility
Nashville Metro Water Services
Prestigious southwestern neighborhoods known for high-end shopping (The Mall at Green Hills), large lots, and grand estates. Some Belle Meade estates date to the early 1900s — pre-1986 homes may have lead solder at pipe joints. Nashville MWS’s 2025 lead testing: 0/85 exceeded AL (0.8 ppb 90th%). Whole-house carbon + RO at the kitchen sink is the recommended setup for these older estates.
Sylvan Park
37209
Utility
Nashville Metro Water Services
Quiet residential community in West Nashville near McCabe Park, with cozy homes, local pubs, and green spaces. Primarily mid-20th century housing stock. Some Sylvan Park homes date to the 1940s–1960s — homes in this era predate modern lead-free plumbing requirements. Nashville MWS: TTHMs 43.5 ppb, hardness 5.88 GPG, zero violations 2025.
Surrounding Suburbs & Communities
Bellevue
37221
Utility
Harpeth Valley Utility District
Further southwest along the Harpeth River, Bellevue offers more affordable housing with easy access to Percy Priest and Warner Parks. HVUD serves Bellevue — a meaningful distinction from the rest of Nashville. HVUD 2025 CCR: TTHMs 40.1 ppb (lowest of the three utilities), hardness 98 PPM (5.73 GPG), PFAS all not detected (2023), no lead service lines found. Contact: 615-352-7076 · customerservice@hvud.com.
Antioch & Donelson
37013, 37214
Utility
Nashville Metro Water Services
Popular, more affordable southeast (Antioch) and east (Donelson) suburban options with strong commuting access. Both are served by Nashville MWS. Antioch and Donelson have a significant mix of 1960s–1980s housing stock; homes built before 1986 may have lead solder. Nashville MWS: TTHMs 43.5 ppb avg, hardness 5.88 GPG, zero violations 2025. Contact: 615-862-4494.
Madison / Goodlettsville / Old Hickory
37115, 37072, 37138
Utility
Madison Suburban Utility District
Northern Davidson County communities served by MSUD. 2024 CCR: TTHMs 50 ppb highest LRAA (highest of the three utilities), 100% perfect TDEC Sanitary Survey score, no lead detected in MSUD system. Whole-house carbon filter is especially worthwhile for MSUD customers given the higher TTHM profile. Contact: 615-868-3201 · msud.net · 721 Myatt Drive, Madison TN 37115.
Not sure which utility serves you? Check your water bill. Nashville MWS: 615-862-4494. HVUD: 615-352-7076. MSUD: 615-868-3201. Search by zip at EWG’s database.
Chlorine Residual in Nashville Water
Nashville Metro Water Services uses chlorine as its 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 Nashville’s biggest water quality concerns.
Pool-Level Chlorine
Nashville tap water runs at pool-level chlorine concentration
Nashville Metro Water Services’ verified chlorine residual is 1.60 ppm (highest average, 2025 CCR) at the tap. For comparison, the EPA-recommended range for a swimming pool is 1.0–3.0 ppm — meaning your Nashville 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 Nashville 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.
1.60
ppm Nashville MWS (2025 CCR)
1.0–3.0
ppm EPA pool range
0.0
ppm after activated carbon
Bottom line: You cannot taste or smell chlorine at 1.60 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 Nashville water it reacts with Cumberland River organic matter to form TTHMs at 43.5 ppb and 7 contaminants above EWG health 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
Skin
Chlorine strips the skin’s natural oils and disrupts the moisture barrier. At 1.70 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.
Hair
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.
Gut Health
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.
Laundry
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.
Eyes & Mucous Membranes
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.
Pets & Plants
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.
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 Nashville homes concerned about both chlorine and the disinfection byproducts it creates (TTHMs 43.5 ppb, HAA5s 27.8 ppb), a whole-house carbon system addresses both problems in one installation. See the filter recommendations below for Nashville-specific sizing and pricing.
Filter Recommendations for Nashville Homes
Disinfection byproducts from Cumberland River chlorination are the dominant concern across all three utilities. Nashville MWS’s moderately hard water (5.88 GPG) and seasonal hardness highs (up to 7.51 GPG) create real appliance and comfort challenges. PFOA from the Nashville MWS intake is addressed by RO.
The Nashville Water Treatment Recommendation
1.
Whole-house activated carbon backwashing filter
Addresses TTHMs, HAAs, and chlorine throughout the home. Nashville MWS (43.5 ppb avg, seasonal highs to 65.5 ppb) and MSUD (50 ppb avg) both benefit significantly. HVUD’s 40.1 ppb avg is the lowest but still meaningfully above EWG guidelines. Reduces DBP exposure at every tap, shower, and appliance. Cost: $1,400–$4,500 installed.
Removes PFOA (detected above EWG in Nashville MWS), nitrate (not removable by carbon), chromium-6, and remaining byproducts. NSF/ANSI 58 certified. HVUD customers: PFAS tested ND in 2023 but RO provides the best future insurance. Cost: $600–$2,000 installed.
Removes: PFOA · Nitrate · Chromium-6 · All DBPs
3.
Water softener — ion exchange, demand-initiated
Addresses Cumberland River moderate hardness (5.88 GPG avg per Nashville MWS 2025 CCR; 5.73 GPG per HVUD). Seasonal hardness highs (up to 128.4 mg/L / 7.51 GPG) reach the Hard zone. Nashville’s massive new construction wave with tankless water heaters is especially sensitive to scale. A 32,000–48,000 grain system handles most Davidson County households. Cost: $2,500–$4,500 installed.
Yes. Nashville Metro Water Services received zero drinking water violations in 2025 across 105 tested substances. All three Nashville-area utilities were in full EPA compliance as of April–June 2024. EWG exceedances are not regulatory violations. Nashville’s water is legally safe to drink. The primary concerns are disinfection byproducts (TTHMs, HAAs) and PFOA — all within EPA legal limits.
Nashville Metro Water Services officially confirms in its 2025 CCR that total hardness averaged 100.5 mg/L (88.5–128.4 range), equal to 5.88 GPG average — classified as “moderately hard.” HVUD’s 2025/26 CCR confirms 98 PPM average (80–128), equal to 5.73 GPG. Nashville’s seasonal range means hardness is noticeably higher in some months. A water softener is beneficial to protect appliances, especially Nashville’s new construction with tankless water heaters.
Nashville Metro Water Services has PFOA detected above EWG’s conservative guideline (0.09 ppt) per EWG historical data. Harpeth Valley Utility District (Bellevue/SW Nashville) conducted quarterly PFAS sampling in 2023 and found PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, GenX, PFNA, and PFBS all not detected — a meaningful positive for HVUD customers. Madison Suburban UD did not report PFAS in its current available CCR. The EPA finalized a 4 ppt MCL for PFOA/PFOS in April 2024; utilities have until 2029 to comply. Reverse osmosis provides the most complete household PFAS treatment.
EWG’s exceedance count reflects the number of different contaminant types above EWG’s conservative health guidelines — not the total level of any one contaminant. Nashville MWS (7/11 above EWG) has fewer contaminant categories exceeding EWG thresholds than HVUD (10/16), even though MWS’s TTHM LRAA (43.5 ppb) is higher than HVUD’s (40.1 ppb). HVUD detects more contaminant types above EWG guidelines in part because it has more types tested and reported over a longer data period (2014–2023 vs MWS 2015–2023).
For most Nashville homes: (1) Whole-house activated carbon filter ($1,400–$4,500) for TTHMs and HAAs throughout the home. (2) Under-sink RO ($600–$2,000) for PFOA, nitrate, and chromium-6 for drinking and cooking. (3) Water softener ($2,500–$4,500) for moderate limestone hardness (5.88 GPG MWS avg, seasonal highs to 7.51 GPG). HVUD customers: PFAS tested ND in 2023 — but RO provides complete protection going forward.
All three Nashville-area utilities draw from the Cumberland River. Nashville MWS draws at two plants — K.R. Harrington (112 MGD, opened 1976) and the historic Omohundro plant (90 MGD, opened 1889) — near downtown. HVUD draws from the Cumberland River at Cheatham Lake in the southwest. MSUD draws from the Cumberland River in the Cheatham Reservoir Watershed to the north. Nashville MWS notes the river is rated highly susceptible to potential contamination by TDEC, but MWS maintains two intake points at multiple river depths to minimize contamination risk.
