Is Cookeville, TN tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Cookeville Water Dept.

4 public water systems serve parts of Cookeville. The largest, Cookeville Water Dept, serves 49,711 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Cookeville Water Dept

49,711 people · Surface water · EPA ID TN0000133

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 1 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

Across Tennessee, 17 of 275 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 0 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Tennessee results.

Cookeville homes and lead pipes

35%

of homes built before 1980 (Tennessee 41%, US 50%)

built before 1950 (Tennessee 10%)

59%

of households rent (Tennessee 33%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Cookeville city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Cookeville

O'Connor Utility District
10,344 people · Purchased surface water · Tennessee · reported ZIPs here
No PFAS above limits
Double Springs Utility District
6,698 people · Purchased surface water · Tennessee · reported ZIPs here
No PFAS above limits
Old Gainesboro Road Utility District
6,608 people · Purchased surface water · Tennessee · reported ZIPs here
No PFAS above limits

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Lebanon 47 mi Lebanon Water System	Lebanon Water System	None above limits	0.7 ppb
Murfreesboro 55 mi Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County	Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County	None above limits	1 ppb
Gallatin 56 mi Gallatin Water Department	Gallatin Water Department	None above limits	1 ppb
Mount Juliet 56 mi Metro Water Services	Metro Water Services	None above limits	0.8 ppb
Smyrna 58 mi Smyrna Water System	Smyrna Water System	None above limits	1 ppb
La Vergne 59 mi Metro Water Services	Metro Water Services	None above limits	0.8 ppb

Cookeville ZIP codes (3)

38501
38503
38505

Questions

Is Cookeville tap water safe to drink?

Cookeville Water Dept had 1 health-based violation since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Cookeville, TN?

4 public water systems serve parts of Cookeville. The largest is Cookeville Water Dept (49,711 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Cookeville tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Cookeville Water Dept had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Cookeville homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 35% of Cookeville homes as built before 1980 (Tennessee: 41%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Cookeville Water Dept's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.