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Community Water System · PWS TN0000639

Smyrna Water System

Smyrna, Tennessee 37167 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 60,876 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

60,876
People served
148
EPA violations
39
Health-based
5 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 148 drinking-water violations at Smyrna Water System, 26% of them health-based - above the Tennessee per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds.

148
Total EPA violations on record
26%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
60,876
People served by this system
5
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Smyrna Water System

Smyrna Water System is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 60,876 residents in Smyrna, Tennessee (Rutherford County) through 21,977 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 148 total violations for this system , of which 39 (26%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 105 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2021.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is TTHM, recorded in 20 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 5 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 23 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across Tennessee, EPA tracks 762 public water systems serving 7,934,203 people, with 43,318 cumulative violations and 9,414 health-based violations on record. About 94% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 56.8 violations. Statewide, 93 of 277 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (33.6%).

Smyrna Water System's 148 violations sit above the Tennessee average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

5 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
60,876
Total Violations
148
Health-Based Violations
39
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
21,977
County
Rutherford
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
31
Monitoring Violations
105
Treatment Tech Violations
8

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
TTHM MCL 20 2013
Coliform (TCR) MR 7 2006
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MCL 6 2013
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 5 2011
Coliform (TCR) MCL 5 1999
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 4 2000
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 4 2000
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 4 2000
Tetrachloroethylene MR 4 2000
Toluene MR 4 2000
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 2000
CHLOROBENZENE MR 4 2000
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 2000
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2000
Carbon tetrachloride MR 4 2000
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 4 2000
Benzene MR 4 2000
Vinyl chloride MR 4 2000
Chlorine MR 4 2021
Revised Total Coliform Rule MON 4 2021
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 4 2000
Xylenes, Total MR 4 2000
Ethylbenzene MR 4 2000
Styrene MR 4 2000
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2000
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 4 2000
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2000
Trichloroethylene MR 4 2000
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 3 2001
CARBON, TOTAL MR 3 2006

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 14 of 116 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFEESA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 8/16/2023 5.30 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFUnA 8/16/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 8/16/2023 3.50 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFMBA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 8/16/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 8/16/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 8/16/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 8/16/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 8/16/2023 4.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 8/16/2023 5.10 ppt 5.00 ppt Detected
PFHpA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 8/16/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 8/16/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 8/16/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 8/16/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 8/16/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 7/19/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 7/19/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 7/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 7/19/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 7/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 7/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 7/19/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 7/19/2023 5.80 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
8:2 FTS 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 7/19/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 7/19/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 7/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 7/19/2023 21.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Smyrna Water System.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID TN0000639 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Tennessee Drinking Water Authority

Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, Drinking Water is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Smyrna Water System under EPA-delegated authority.

Open TN regulator portal

Source: Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, Drinking Water

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2021 Chlorine MR 4 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 0999
2021 Revised Total Coliform Rule MON 4 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 8000
2013 TTHM MCL 20 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 2950
2013 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MCL 6 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 2456
2011 Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 5 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 0300
2006 Coliform (TCR) MR 7 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 3100
2006 CARBON, TOTAL MR 3 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 2920
2001 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 3 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 7000
2000 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 4 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 2378
2000 DICHLOROMETHANE MR 4 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 2964
2000 1,2-Dichloroethane MR 4 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 2980
2000 Tetrachloroethylene MR 4 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 2987
2000 Toluene MR 4 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 2991
2000 o-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 2968
2000 CHLOROBENZENE MR 4 SDWIS / TN0000639 / 2989

How Smyrna Water System Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Smyrna Water System Tennessee avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 148 56.8 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 39 12.4 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 5 compounds 33.6% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 60,876 10,412 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 762 regulated public water systems in Tennessee.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Smyrna Water System water safe to drink? ▼
Smyrna Water System (PWS ID: TN0000639) has 148 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 5 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 60,876 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does Smyrna Water System serve? ▼
Smyrna Water System serves 60,876 people in Smyrna, Tennessee. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 21,977 service connections.
What type of violations does Smyrna Water System have? ▼
Smyrna Water System has 148 total violations: 39 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 105 monitoring/reporting violations, and 8 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Smyrna Water System water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 5 PFAS compounds in Smyrna Water System's water supply: PFBS, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFBA, PFOA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Smyrna Water System use? ▼
Smyrna Water System uses Surface Water as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from? ▼
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.