State guide
Tennessee
Tennessee’s drinking-water program is run by the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Water Resources. Its lead-and-copper page expressly describes utility ownership from the main to the meter and customer ownership from the meter to the home, and the state is offering loans and grants to eligible water systems for lead service line work.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who usually owns the water service line
- Usually yes. Tennessee’s lead-and-copper page says the utility owns the line from the water main to the customer’s meter and the customer owns the line from the meter to the home.
- State drinking water program
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Resources
- State lead service line page
- Official page →
- Permits for repair or replacement
- Not published by an official source we could verify. Ask the office.
- Assistance programs
- Tennessee says eligible water systems can receive loans and grants for lead service line identification and replacement, and MLGW says its pilot includes full line replacement on both utility and customer sides for some customers.
Official resources in Tennessee
State drinking water program page with oversight responsibilities and program links.
Official Tennessee lead service line and lead-and-copper information page, including inventory and replacement guidance.
State funding page for lead service line inventory, planning, loans, and grants.
State consumer FAQ stating responsibility for leaks after the meter.
State contractor licensing page for checking or applying for contractor licenses.
Key facts for Tennessee
- TDEC says service lines from the water main to the customer’s meter are utility-owned, and lines from the meter to the home are customer-owned.
- Tennessee requires lead service line inventory details for both the water-system side and customer side.
- Homes built after July 1988 are subject to the Tennessee lead ban and should not have lead materials in service lines.
- The state says it will provide loans and grants to eligible water systems for lead service line replacement activities and identification.
- The Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation says leaks between a customer’s house and meter are the consumer’s responsibility.
- KUB states the property owner owns and maintains the water service line beyond the point of delivery, excluding meter equipment.
Utility water service line rules in Tennessee
| Utility | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division of Water Resources Drinking Water Compliance Davidson | Nashville | 615-532-0625 | State drinking water compliance office for lead and copper rule questions and public water system oversight. |
| Knoxville Utilities Board Customer Information Center Knox | Knoxville | 865-524-2911 | KUB customer service and emergency reporting line; KUB’s water procedures define owner responsibility beyond the point of delivery. |
| KUB New Construction Team Knox | Knoxville | 865-558-2555 | Handles new service, relocation, and upgrade requests. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Check your utility’s service line inventory map or survey page and confirm whether your private-side material is listed as lead, galvanized, unknown, or non-lead.
- If the leak is on your side of the meter, ask your city or utility where the point of responsibility begins before hiring a contractor.
- Before private-side replacement, verify whether your local government requires a plumbing permit or inspection and whether your utility offers lead-line coordination or assistance.
Not seeing your utility or county?
We list a utility only when an official government page publishes its rules. If yours isn't in the table above, it may not publish them online yet. Here's what to use instead, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Tennessee, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Tennessee's population center, for comparison only):
- Kentucky Division of Water Drinking Water Compliance, Kentucky · about 149 miles
- Louisville Water Lead Project, Kentucky · about 166 miles
- Louisville Water Customer Service, Kentucky · about 166 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.TDEC Lead and Copper Rule
Website →Phone: (615) 532-0625 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Tennessee page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.
Helpful guides
- Who is responsible for the water line to your house?
- The curb stop, meter and property line, explained
- Water line leak in your yard: what to do
- Water service line replacement costs
Water line responsibility check →