Rutherford County, Tennessee: drinking water report. Rutherford County southeast of Nashville has about 341,000 residents in one of Tennessee's…
Rutherford County southeast of Nashville has about 341,000 residents in one of Tennessee's fastest-growing areas. Murfreesboro and Smyrna are the main communities. Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County draws from Percy Priest Lake and the East Fork Stones River, supplemented by the J. Percy Priest Reservoir. The county's explosive suburban growth is transforming farmland into subdivisions at a rapid pace.
The Smyrna Airport (also home to Tennessee Air National Guard operations) has documented AFFF use. According to Tennessee DEC's 2024 PFAS investigation, monitoring wells near the airport show PFOS at 16 ppt. The contamination plume extends toward residential areas in the Smyrna-La Vergne corridor.
Percy Priest Lake receives urban runoff from the Nashville metro area and agricultural inputs from its watershed. A 2024 Tennessee DEC assessment found that the lake meets recreation standards but shows elevated phosphorus in several tributary arms. Treatment plants manage these inputs effectively, but the pace of development over the watershed is increasing stormwater contamination.
Rutherford County's rapid growth means water infrastructure is expanding fast. New developments are typically well-served by modern municipal systems. The primary localized concern is PFAS near the Smyrna Airport area.
Start by checking your water for data at your address. For most residents, a carbon filter addresses taste and disinfection byproducts. For those near the airport, reverse osmosis adds PFAS protection. Our water filter guide covers both approaches. Get your detailed report for local data, and visit our Tennessee page for statewide patterns.