Nashville, TN: 117 Violations - 62/100 (2026)
39 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Nashville: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
For most households in Nashville, TN tap water is adequate - the middle-tier grade reflects gaps in specific service areas.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
What You Should Know About Nashville Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 117 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0008 mg/L.
Water Quality in Nashville
We track water quality and home safety data for 39 ZIP codes in Nashville, Tennessee (population ~475,253), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 1,041,031 people region-wide.
39 of 39 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 117 total, including no health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: C (62/100)
Water sources: Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 78 | 39 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 39 | 39 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0008 mg/L
- 57% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 18% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1977
- Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 38/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 16%
- 5 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 57% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Nashville residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
231,897 total housing units across 39 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 18,371 | 8% |
| 1940–1949 | 10,029 | 4% |
| 1950–1959 | 26,279 | 11% |
| 1960–1969 | 28,814 | 12% |
| 1970–1979 | 29,609 | 13% |
| 1980–1989 | 28,556 | 12% |
| 1990–1999 | 21,952 | 9% |
| 2000–2009 | 26,601 | 11% |
| 2010–2019 | 37,533 | 16% |
| 2020+ | 4,153 | 2% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Nashville:
- 3,749 flood insurance claims on record
- $151,016,809 total paid out
- $40,282 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
- 17 of 39 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 39 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37201 | 69/100 | C | 3 |
| 37202 | 69/100 | C | 3 |
| 37219 | 69/100 | C | 3 |
| 37224 | 69/100 | C | 3 |
| 37228 | 69/100 | C | 3 |
| 37222 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
| 37227 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
| 37229 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
| 37230 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
| 37232 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37218 | 54/100 | D | 3 |
| 37215 | 54/100 | D | 3 |
| 37214 | 54/100 | D | 3 |
| 37211 | 54/100 | D | 3 |
| 37209 | 54/100 | D | 3 |
| 37207 | 54/100 | D | 3 |
| 37205 | 54/100 | D | 3 |
| 37204 | 54/100 | D | 3 |
| 37221 | 59/100 | C | 3 |
| 37217 | 59/100 | C | 3 |
What Nashville Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Nashville has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Test for Radon
- Nashville is in a high-risk radon area
- Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
- If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Nashville
- 37201 [C] - 3 violations
- 37202 [C] - 3 violations
- 37203 [C] - 3 violations
- 37204 [D] - 3 violations
- 37205 [D] - 3 violations
- 37206 [C] - 3 violations
- 37207 [D] - 3 violations
- 37208 [C] - 3 violations
- 37209 [D] - 3 violations
- 37210 [C] - 3 violations
- 37211 [D] - 3 violations
- 37212 [C] - 3 violations
- 37213 [C] - 3 violations
- 37214 [D] - 3 violations
- 37215 [D] - 3 violations
- 37216 [C] - 3 violations
- 37217 [C] - 3 violations
- 37218 [D] - 3 violations
- 37219 [C] - 3 violations
- 37220 [C] - 3 violations
- 37221 [C] - 3 violations
- 37222 [C] - 3 violations
- 37224 [C] - 3 violations
- 37227 [C] - 3 violations
- 37228 [C] - 3 violations
- 37229 [C] - 3 violations
- 37230 [C] - 3 violations
- 37232 [C] - 3 violations
- 37234 [C] - 3 violations
- 37235 [C] - 3 violations
- 37236 [C] - 3 violations
- 37238 [C] - 3 violations
- 37240 [C] - 3 violations
- 37241 [C] - 3 violations
- 37242 [C] - 3 violations
- 37243 [C] - 3 violations
- 37244 [C] - 3 violations
- 37246 [C] - 3 violations
- 37250 [C] - 3 violations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Nashville, TN?
Nashville has an average Home Safety Score of 62/100 (grade C) across 39 ZIP codes. There are 117 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Nashville have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Nashville is 0.0008 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 57% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Nashville at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 3,749 flood insurance claims in Nashville ZIP codes, with an average payout of $40,282. 17 of 39 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Nashville homes?
57% of Nashville housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 18% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 16%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Nashville water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule. Across 39 ZIP codes, 39 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Housing & Infrastructure in Nashville
Median build year of 1977 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Nashville's housing stock skews relatively recent, with a median build year of 1977. Homes constructed after 1986 avoid the lead-soldered copper joints that were standard before the federal ban - reducing aggregate risk from plumbing as a contamination pathway.
Most homes in Nashville were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Nashville
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Nashville appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Nashville
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Nashville accumulating 3749 claims and carrying 0% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones - evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Nashville has a moderate flood history with 3,749 FEMA claims. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones - over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Nashville
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Nashville, TN