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Memphis, TN Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Memphis, TN — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Memphis's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Memphis Light, Gas, & Water PWSID: TN0000450 Updated: 2026 Q2
✅

No federal limits exceeded on record

Lead is 4.73 ppb, 32% of the action level and no violations are open. No PFAS was detected.

B

Memphis earns a B for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 4.73 ppb — 32% of the federal action level
PFAS tested, none detected
No violations since 2015
No violations currently open
Memphis's lead level vs. all Tennessee community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 4.73 ppb — 32% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 3% of Tennessee utilities
Population Served
602564
~255620 connections
Water Source
Groundwater
Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Active Violations
0
None on record since 2015

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
32% of EPA action level
4.73 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 4.73 ppb, 32% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

✓ No violations on record for this water system.
Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

No violations are on record for this system since 2015. EPA records violations for every community water system, so this reflects a clean compliance history rather than missing data.

About the Main Water System

Utility Memphis Light, Gas, & Water
PWSID TN0000450
Water source Groundwater — Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Population served 602,564
Service connections 255,620
Systems serving this area 3
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Memphis tap water safe to drink? ▼
No federal limit is exceeded on record. No violations are currently open. Lead is 4.73 ppb, 32% of the action level.
Does Memphis water have PFAS? ▼
It was tested for the six regulated PFAS compounds and none were detected.
Who supplies water to Memphis? ▼
Memphis Light, Gas, & Water (PWSID TN0000450), one of 3 systems serving this area. Groundwater. Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2024-04-12. Inspectors recorded 3 significant deficiencies.

What Should Memphis Residents Do?

1
Read your annual water report
Your supplier publishes a Consumer Confidence Report each July covering the prior year.
2
Check for a lead service line
Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.
3
Flush before drinking
If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

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