Is Maryville, TN Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Maryville tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 25 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Maryville Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Maryville Compares
Maryville's water is 82% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 88% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Tennessee, it ranks #19 of 20 cities (74% below the state average of 96 PPM). Among cities (50k-100k), Maryville ranks #235 of 258 for hardness.
What Maryville's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 25 PPM - Low Concern
Maryville's water is slightly hard at 25 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Maryville is softer than 88% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Maryville's water has TTHMs at 40 ppb and HAA5 at 45.9 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Maryville's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 40 ppb (50% of the legal limit, but 266x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 45.9 ppb (77% of the legal limit, but 459x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.239 ppb, which is 12x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 25 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 45 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 4 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.136 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Good news for Maryville residents. Your water quality is generally good. Most homes in this area do not need a water softener. If you have concerns about lead (especially in buildings constructed before 1986) or chlorine taste, a point-of-use filter is the most practical and cost-effective solution.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1 mg/L chlorine, many Maryville residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Maryville
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request City of Maryville Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
📊 Already Tested Your Water?
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About Maryville's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Maryville Water
Water Source: Abrams Creek + Fort Loudoun (Surface Water)
Population Served: 53,864
Hardness: 25 PPM (1.5 grains per gallon)
Maryville's drinking water comes from surface sources — Abrams Creek + Fort Loudoun. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 54,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Maryville Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Maryville Water in Maryville, TN, including ZIP codes:
28702, 28713, 28733, 28734, 28744, 28771, 28781, 28901, 28902, 28903, 28904, 28905, 28906, 37303, 37314, 37317, 37325, 37326, 37329, 37331, 37333, 37337, 37354, 37369, 37370, 37371, 37381, 37385, 37391, 37701, 37737, 37742, 37763, 37771, 37772, 37774, 37801, 37802, 37803, 37804, 37826, 37846, 37854, 37874, 37878, 37880, 37882, 37885, 37886
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Maryville to Other Tennessee Cities
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Collierville
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Johnson City
Frequently Asked Questions About Maryville Water
Is Maryville tap water safe to drink?
Where does Maryville's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Maryville?
What are disinfection byproducts in Maryville's water?
Is chromium-6 in Maryville's water?
Why does Maryville water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Maryville tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Maryville compare to the Tennessee average?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Maryville Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 25 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Maryville's water data.