Tennessee Lead Service Line Replacement Programs

Tennessee water systems reported 23,018 lead and 41,099 galvanized service lines that must be replaced (EPA, Q3 2026). Below: the state rule on who pays, and every Tennessee utility with at least 1,000 such lines or a confirmed program.

Each utility decides

Federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (40 CFR 141 Subpart I)

This state has no law we found that decides who pays for the private side of a lead service line, so each utility sets its own policy. Under the federal rule, utilities must replace every lead line and galvanized line that needs it within ten years of November 1, 2027, but the rule does not make utilities pay for the owner's side. Federal infrastructure money passed through the state revolving fund can pay for it, so many utilities offer free or discounted replacement, especially for low-income owners.

Mandatory? No state owner mandate found; the federal rule requires most utilities to replace all lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by 2037.

Funding: State Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (federal lead service line money).

Sources: epa.gov

Utilities listed8

Free programs1

Other programs2

Not yet confirmed5

Utility	Lead	Galv.	Program
Nashville Metro Water Services	2,818	21,855	Owner pays
Memphis Memphis Light, Gas, & Water	17,022	532	Free if eligible
Dayton Dayton Water Dept	0	4,519	Not confirmed
Clarksville Clarksville Water Department	0	3,284	Not confirmed
Chattanooga Tennessee American Water	2,368	0	Program pending
Jefferson City Jefferson City W&S Comm	0	2,083	Not confirmed
Lebanon Lebanon Water System	0	1,725	Not confirmed
Oak Ridge Oak Ridge Dept of Public Works	0	1,082	Not confirmed

Compare: lead lines in every state · cities with the most lead pipes · free programs in Tennessee

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Common questions

Who pays to replace lead service lines in Tennessee?

Is lead service line replacement mandatory in Tennessee?

No state owner mandate found; the federal rule requires most utilities to replace all lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by 2037.

How many lead service lines are in Tennessee?

Water systems in Tennessee reported 23,018 lead service lines, 41,099 galvanized lines that need replacement and 605,767 lines of unknown material to EPA (Q3 2026), across 120 reporting systems.

Where can I get help paying in Tennessee?

Start with your water utility's program; the table on this page shows what we've confirmed. State money flows through: State Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (federal lead service line money). If your utility has no program, see our guide to paying for replacement.