Legal limits do not equal optimal health. All contaminants on this page are within EPA legal limits. Smyrna Water System received zero violations in 2025 and earned a 100% TDEC Sanitary Survey score. EWG exceedances reflect EWG’s more conservative health thresholds — not regulatory violations. Smyrna water is legally safe to drink.
Smyrna Water System: 2025 Kentucky/Tennessee Award of Excellence · 100% TDEC Score · No Lead in System
The Smyrna Water System earned three distinct recognitions: the 2025 Kentucky/Tennessee Award of Excellence (Medium Category Plant), a 100% score on the most recent TDEC Sanitary Survey, and a completed Lead Service Line Inventory showing no lead service lines in the entire distribution system. The water treatment plant at 156 Sharp Spring Rd treats Stones River/J. Percy Priest Lake source water with a capacity of 18.3 MGD, averaging 10.6 MGD daily in 2025. Zero violations for 2025. These achievements make Smyrna Water System one of the top-performing utilities in this guide series.
2025 Official CCR Data — Smyrna Water System
The Smyrna Water System’s 2025 Consumer Confidence Report reflects testing between January and December 2025. 22,276 service connections. Plant capacity: 18.3 MGD. Average daily finished water flow: 10.6 MGD. Maximum daily: 14.23 MGD. Total produced 2025: 3,676,292,000 gallons. Source: Stones River/J. Percy Priest Lake. TDEC SWAP: reasonably susceptible.
range 9.83–58.5 · EPA limit: 80 ppb
range 4.2–44.6 · EPA limit: 60 ppb
Zero violations 2025
0/30 exceeded AL · No lead service lines
TTHMs 2025: 47.08 ppb highest LRAA (range 9.83–58.5 ppb) — within EPA 80 ppb limit. HAA5 2025: 27.73 ppb highest LRAA (range 4.2–44.6 ppb) — within EPA 60 ppb limit. Chlorine: 1.53 ppm highest RAA (range 0.23–2.42). Fluoride: 0.572 ppm avg (0.417–0.74). Nitrate: 1.02 ppm (10/08/2025) — well within EPA 10 ppm limit. Sodium: 8.18 ppm (04/09/2025). Lead (2023): ND 90th percentile (range ND–11.9 ppb) — 0/30 exceeded AL. Copper (2023): 0.0547 ppm 90th percentile (range 0.002–0.078 ppm) — 0/30 exceeded AL. Turbidity: 100% of monthly samples below 0.3 NTU (treatment technique met 2025). Total Organic Carbon: 43.5–76.5% removal (15–25% required) — treatment technique met 2025. E. Coli: Not detected. Lead service line inventory complete: NO LEAD SERVICE LINES found in system. Zero violations 2025. Council meetings: 2nd Tuesday monthly, 5:00 PM, Town Hall Council Chambers. Contact: Casey Conard 615-459-2553 or smyrnaccr@townofsmyrna.org.
Key achievements 2024: Zero violations. No lead in any of 70,000+ service lines (LSLI verified, filed with state ahead of October 16, 2024 deadline). 2024 Directors Award from the Partnership for Safe Water (K. Thomas Hutchinson WTP). 100% perfect TDEC Sanitary Survey (January 2025 — 599/599 points, “Approved” category). Source: East Fork Stones River (J. Percy Priest Lake). TDEC SWAP: reasonably susceptible. 7+ contaminants above EWG guidelines (TTHMs, HAAs, and others). Contact: (615) 893-7225 · cudrc.com.
Source: Groundwater from three wells at 3826 Vesta Road, Lebanon TN 37090. Emergency connection to West Wilson Utility District. 12 contaminants detected from 80+ tested — all within regulatory limits. No lead found in service line inventory (completed October 2024, field inspections and record review). TDEC SWAP: reasonably susceptible. Zero violations 2025. Contact: Chief Operator Brian Long 615-444-2869 (7am–3:30pm weekdays) · office 615-449-0301. Board: 2nd Tuesday monthly 11:00 AM at 3826 Vesta Road. Important distinction: Gladeville is the only utility in this guide that uses groundwater — not surface water from Percy Priest Lake or the Stones River. This affects its contaminant profile significantly.
Five Utilities Serving the Smyrna Area
Smyrna and the surrounding Rutherford/Wilson County area are served by five utilities. Smyrna Water System is the primary provider for Smyrna residents. Gladeville UD serves eastern Wilson County. CUD Rutherford serves the broader Murfreesboro/Rutherford County area. Check your water bill to confirm which utility serves your address.
Smyrna Water System
Gladeville Utility District
Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford
Nolensville-College Grove UD
Smyrna: Stones River source, award-winning treatment, and a unique groundwater neighbor
Three of the five utilities in this guide draw from the same source — J. Percy Priest Lake / Stones River. Smyrna Water System and CUD Rutherford both earned the highest operational honors in 2024/2025. The standout distinction in this guide: Gladeville Utility District is the only utility here that uses groundwater from three wells rather than surface water — giving it a very different contaminant profile (no TTHMs or HAAs, but 12/19 above EWG for other parameters). Smyrna also supplies water to NCGUD (Nolensville), whose TTHMs build to 77.53 ppb as water travels through extended distribution infrastructure.
Contaminants Exceeding EWG Health Guidelines
All contaminants below are within EPA legal limits. Smyrna WS 2025 CCR, CUD Rutherford 2024 CCR, and Gladeville UD 2025 CCR are the most current verified data. EWG historical figures (2013–2023) supplement where CCR data does not specify by contaminant type.
(9.83–58.5 range)
TTHMs detected (Stones River)
Groundwater source
(groundwater source, disinfection byproduct)
0/30 exceeded AL
service lines verified
in service line inventory
All Five Utilities — Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Smyrna WS TN0000639 (2025) |
Gladeville UD TN0000264 (2025) |
CUD Rutherford TN0000791 (2024) |
La Vergne WS TN0000386 (2025) |
NCGUD TN0000511 (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Stones River / Percy Priest (surface) | Groundwater (3 wells) | E. Fork Stones River / Percy Priest | Percy Priest Lake (surface) | Metro Nashville + Smyrna + MVUD |
| TTHMs (LRAA) | 47.08 ppb (9.83–58.5) | Not primary concern (GW) | Above EWG (Stones River) | Above EWG (EWG hist.) | 77.53 ppb — highest in guide |
| HAA5 (LRAA) | 27.73 ppb (4.2–44.6) | Not primary concern (GW) | Above EWG | Above EWG | 36.55 ppb (2024 CCR) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 6.49 ppb · 108x (EWG hist.) | Above EWG (EWG 2014–2023) | Above EWG | Above EWG | 8.12 ppb · 135x (EWG hist.) |
| Chromium-6 | Above EWG | Above EWG | Above EWG | Not reported | Not in CCR |
| Nitrate | 1.02 ppm · 7.3x EWG (2025) | Above EWG (EWG hist.) | Not specified | Not in CCR | 1.77 ppm Smyrna src (12.6x EWG) |
| Lead (most recent) | ND 90th% · 0/30 (2023) | No lead found (LSLI 2024) | No lead in 70,000+ lines | No lead in system (LSLI) | <2.00 ppb · 0/30 (2022) |
| Fluoride | 0.572 ppm avg (2025) | Not in 2025 CCR | Not specified | Not in CCR | By source (2024 CCR) |
| TDEC Survey | 100% (most recent) | Not specified | 100% perfect 599/599 (Jan 2025) | Not specified | Reasonably susceptible SWAP |
| Violations 2024/25 | Zero (2025) | Zero (2025) | Zero (2024) | Zero (2025) | Zero (2024) |
| Above EWG / Total | 11 of 25 | 12 of 19 — highest | 7+ above EWG | 8+ above EWG | 9 of 15 |
Protecting Children & Pregnant Women in Smyrna
Smyrna Water System’s strong operational record — 100% TDEC, no lead, Award of Excellence — provides real reassurance. Disinfection byproducts (TTHMs 47.08 ppb) remain the primary concern for pregnant women and young children.
Disinfection byproducts have been linked in studies to pregnancy complications including low birth weight and preterm birth. Smyrna WS’s 47.08 ppb LRAA (highs 58.5 ppb) reflects the Stones River’s seasonal organic matter load. The first trimester is the highest-risk window. A whole-house carbon filter plus under-sink RO provides the most complete protection during pregnancy. Note: Smyrna water supplied to NCGUD reaches 77.53 ppb TTHMs downstream — a much higher concern for Nolensville residents.
Smyrna WS 2023: Lead ND at 90th percentile (0/30 exceeded AL). CUD Rutherford: no lead in 70,000+ service lines. Gladeville UD: no lead found in October 2024 inventory. La Vergne: no lead in system. These are exceptional results. However, lead can still come from home plumbing in pre-1986 homes. Flush cold tap 30 seconds before use in older homes and use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter.
Smyrna WS’s 1.02 ppm nitrate is above EWG’s guideline but 10x below the EPA acute limit. No acute risk for adults. 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. Carbon filters do NOT remove nitrate.
Smyrna’s 2025 CCR includes an unregulated contaminants table (page 7) with PFAS monitoring results. Review the current CCR at townofsmyrna.org for the most current PFAS readings. Studies link PFAS to immune suppression, thyroid disruption, and developmental effects in children. Reverse osmosis provides the most complete household PFAS removal and best future insurance.
Your Pets & Smyrna Water Quality
The same contaminants in Smyrna’s water affect pets at proportionally higher exposure per unit body weight. Smyrna WS’s TTHMs (47.08 ppb) and Gladeville UD’s 12/19 EWG exceedances are the most relevant concerns for household pets.
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. Fill your pet’s bowl from your RO-filtered tap.
Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and birds have tiny body masses — their relative contaminant exposure is far higher. RO-filtered water is strongly recommended for all small caged animals and birds, especially for Gladeville UD customers given the 12/19 EWG exceedance count.
Chlorine in Smyrna tap water (up to 2.42 ppm per 2025 CCR) is directly toxic to fish and aquarium invertebrates. Never add untreated tap water to a tank. Activated carbon removes free chlorine. RO is the gold standard for sensitive species and reef tanks. Never boil tap water for aquarium use.
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.
What Hard Water Is Doing to Your Smyrna Home Every Day
Rutherford County sits on limestone geology that feeds into Stones River and Percy Priest Lake. This makes Smyrna-area water significantly harder than Nashville-area water — typically 10–14 GPG, reaching the Hard to Extremely Hard zone. Treatment does not remove hardness.
At 10–14 GPG (Hard to Extremely Hard), calcium and magnesium ions severely disrupt the skin’s moisture barrier after showering — noticeable dryness, irritation, soap scum buildup on shower surfaces, and increased eczema risk for children. Hair feels coarser, duller, and harder to manage. Color-treated hair fades faster in Rutherford County water than in most of Tennessee.
Smyrna’s hard water leaves heavy white spots and thick cloudy calcium carbonate film on glassware, dishes, and shower doors. At 10–14 GPG, dishwasher detergent effectiveness drops dramatically — you’ll need 60–100% more product than the label suggests. A softener eliminates spotting entirely and dramatically reduces detergent use.
At Extremely Hard water levels, mineral deposits build rapidly in fabric fibers — clothes feel stiff and rough, whites yellow significantly faster, colors fade, and towels lose absorbency within months. Clothes washed in Extremely Hard water wear out up to 20% faster than in soft water. A softener extends garment life and restores detergent effectiveness.
Scale reduces water heater efficiency 8% per GPG (U.S. Dept. of Energy). At 10–14 GPG, Rutherford County water causes among the most aggressive scale buildup in Middle Tennessee. Calcium deposits on heating elements dramatically shorten appliance life and void manufacturer warranties. A softener is essentially mandatory for appliance protection at this hardness level.
Rutherford County Limestone — Hard to Extremely Hard Water in Smyrna
Smyrna’s 2025 CCR includes a water hardness note on page 8. Rutherford County’s limestone geology produces significantly harder water than Nashville-area communities. Typical range for Smyrna and the Stones River/Percy Priest watershed is 10–14 GPG (Hard to Extremely Hard zone). Gladeville Utility District’s groundwater from limestone wells can be even harder. A water softener is not a luxury in this area — it’s an appliance protection necessity.
Smyrna Hard Water Impact Calculator
Rutherford County Limestone Hard Water Impact Calculator
Default: 12 GPG — estimated Smyrna / Rutherford County typical city water (Extremely Hard zone). Gladeville UD groundwater may be higher.
Soft 3.5 GPG
Slightly Hard 7–10 GPG
Hard 10.5 GPG
Extremely Hard
Eco120°F
Standard130°F140°F
Tankless
PPM / mg/L
Grains per gallon
0–3Mod. Hard
3–5Hard
7–10Extremely Hard
10+
Smyrna, Murfreesboro & Surrounding Area Water Guide
Which utility serves your address depends on your specific location in Rutherford or Wilson County.
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Chlorine Residual in Smyrna Water
Smyrna Water System and CUD Rutherford both 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 Smyrna’s biggest water quality concerns.
Smyrna tap water runs at pool-level chlorine concentration
Smyrna-area utilities run chlorine residuals estimated at 1.50–1.60 ppm at the tap. For comparison, the EPA-recommended range for a swimming pool is 1.0–3.0 ppm — meaning your Smyrna 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 Smyrna 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 1.53 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 Smyrna water it reacts with Percy Priest Lake organic matter to form bromodichloromethane at 108x 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 1.53 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.
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 Smyrna homes concerned about chlorine and BrCHM 108x EWG, TTHMs, HAAs), a whole-house carbon system addresses both problems in one installation. See the filter recommendations below for Smyrna-specific sizing and pricing.
Filter Recommendations for Smyrna Homes
Smyrna Water System’s TTHMs (47.08 ppb) make whole-house carbon filtration a meaningful investment. Rutherford County’s hard water (estimated 10–14 GPG) makes a softener close to essential for appliance protection. Gladeville UD customers have a different priority order given the groundwater source.
The Smyrna Water Treatment Recommendation
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