Tap Water Results

Is Shelbyville, TN tap water safe?

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

Summary

Shelbyville Water System, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOA, PFOS) in EPA's 2023–2025 testing.

Is it an emergency? No: PFAS limits are about years of exposure, not a glass of water, and nothing in EPA's data calls for you to stop drinking the water today. If your utility issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow it.

2 public water systems serve parts of Shelbyville. The largest, Shelbyville Water System, serves 36,813 people, and one system here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Shelbyville Water System

36,813 people · Surface water · EPA ID TN0000628

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Above limit
5.83 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFOS
Above limit
4.05 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot 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.

For context: the PFOA average is higher than at 96% of the Tennessee systems EPA tested and the PFOS average is higher than at 94% of the Tennessee systems EPA tested.

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: 0

Full Shelbyville Water System results

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.

Shelbyville homes and lead pipes

42%
of homes built before 1980 (Tennessee 41%, US 50%)
6%
built before 1950 (Tennessee 10%)
49%
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 Shelbyville city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Shelbyville

  • Bedford County Utility District
    23,641 people · Surface water · Tennessee · lists this city
    Haloacetic acids (HAA5) violationsAlso: PFOA detected · PFOS detected

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Murfreesboro 25 mi
Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County
Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford CountyNone above limits1 ppb
Spring Hill 31 mi
Spring Hill Water Dept
Spring Hill Water DeptNone above limits0.5 ppb
Smyrna 33 mi
Smyrna Water System
Smyrna Water SystemNone above limits1 ppb
Columbia 35 mi
Columbia Power and Water Systems
Columbia Power and Water SystemsNone above limits1 ppb
La Vergne 37 mi
Metro Water Services
Metro Water ServicesNone above limits0.8 ppb
Franklin 37 mi
Franklin Water Dept
Franklin Water DeptNone above limits1 ppb
Shelbyville ZIP codes (1)
  • 37160

Questions

Is Shelbyville tap water safe to drink?

Shelbyville Water System has had no health-based violations since 2016, and EPA testing found PFAS above the 2024 federal limits, which it must meet by 2029. 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 Shelbyville, TN?

2 public water systems serve parts of Shelbyville. The largest is Shelbyville Water System (36,813 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Shelbyville tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOA and PFOS at Shelbyville Water System. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Shelbyville homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 42% of Shelbyville 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. Shelbyville Water System'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.