If you have heard concerns about PFAS in Middle Tennessee water, you are not imagining things. These so-called “forever chemicals” have become a growing concern for homeowners who want to understand what is coming out of their taps.
The challenge is that most explanations are either overly technical or unnecessarily alarming.
Let us break down what PFAS and PFOA are, why they matter locally, and what homeowners in Middle Tennessee can realistically do about them.
What Are PFAS and PFOA?
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of man-made chemicals designed to resist heat, water, and grease. PFOA is one specific chemical within the PFAS family.
These chemicals have been used for decades in everyday products such as:
- Nonstick cookware
- Water-resistant clothing
- Food packaging
- Firefighting foam
Because PFAS do not break down easily, they can persist in the environment for long periods. In some cases, that persistence allows them to move through soil and groundwater and eventually enter drinking water supplies.
For a deeper local look at how these chemicals show up closer to home, you can read our article on forever chemicals in Murfreesboro water.
Why PFAS in Middle Tennessee Water Is Getting More Attention
PFAS aren’t new. What is new is our ability to detect them at much lower levels and our growing understanding of long-term exposure.
In Middle Tennessee, water can come from a mix of surface water, groundwater, and municipal sources. PFAS can travel easily through these systems, which is why they are now part of a broader discussion around water contamination in your home, alongside chlorine, heavy metals, and other chemical byproducts.
It is also important to remember that water quality can vary by location, treatment method, and even neighborhood. Two homes on the same street may not always have identical water profiles.
Drinking Water Is Not the Only Exposure Point
Many homeowners focus only on what they drink, but PFAS exposure is not limited to a glass of water.
You also come into contact with water when you:
- Shower or bathe
- Cook meals
- Wash dishes
- Do laundry
Hot water can increase exposure because certain contaminants can be absorbed through the skin or released into the air as steam. This is why point-of-use filters, such as a single under-sink system, may not address the full picture.
If your goal is to reduce overall chemical exposure, our guide on reducing toxins in your home explains why water quality plays such a central role.
Is My Water Safe If It Meets Regulations?
Municipal water systems are required to meet federal and state standards, and that is an important baseline. However, those standards do not always reflect the latest research on emerging contaminants like PFAS.
“Safe” does not always mean:
- Free of contaminants
- Optimized for long-term exposure reduction
- Tailored to your household’s specific needs
This is why understanding the full list of contaminants in Murfreesboro water can be more helpful than focusing on a single chemical in isolation.
What Is the Real Risk for Homeowners?
The honest answer? The risk depends on your specific water.
Not every home in Middle Tennessee has detectable PFAS levels. Without testing, there is no way to know what is present or how multiple contaminants may be interacting over time.
The good news is that knowledge removes uncertainty. Once you understand your water, you can make informed decisions instead of guessing.
What Homeowners Can Control
While you can’t control where your water comes from, you can control how it is treated in your home.
Practical steps include:
- Testing your water to identify contaminants
- Understanding exposure beyond drinking water alone
- Choosing filtration systems based on your results, not marketing claims
Certain filtration technologies, such as activated carbon and reverse osmosis, have been proven to reduce PFAS when properly designed and installed. The key is matching the solution to your water source, usage patterns, and household goals.
The Family Water Approach
At Family Water, our focus isn’t on fear or one-size-fits-all solutions. It is on education, transparency, and helping families make confident decisions about their water.
Clean water isn’t about chasing perfection. It is about reducing unnecessary exposure, protecting your home, and feeling confident every time you turn on the tap.
If you’re concerned about PFAS in Middle Tennessee’s water or simply want a clearer picture of what is in your home’s supply, the first step is to understand your water. From there, we can help you decide what makes sense for your family.
Schedule a water test today, and let’s find out.
Related Posts
Holiday Hosting Tips with Family Water
Hosting guests this holiday season? Make it easier with clean water, smart prep, and a few Family Water-approved tips to make your home feel like home.
How Water Quality Affects the Flavor of Food and Beverages (Especially During the Holidays)
Water quality affects the flavor of food. Discover how clean water from Family Water Treatment can elevate your holiday hosting game.
The holidays are here and what better time to brush up on your hosting skills?! Secure your title as the best host this Christmas with these 5 tips! (Spoiler alert: these tips are good all year long, so be sure to take notes or bookmark this blog for future reference!)
1) Prepare a welcome basket for your guests!
Make your home feel a little more like your guests’ own with a welcome basket! Stock it with toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner, a magazine or two, a card with your wifi information, and maybe even their favorite Christmas candy! This is such a fun, festive way to welcome your guests into your home.
2) Make everyday items easy to find in your home!
While you might know where everything in your house is, your guests probably don’t! No one wants to snoop around your cabinets and drawers just to find some scissors. Go through your day and think about all of the household items you use on a regular basis, then make sure those items are easily accessible for your guests!
3) Prepare your food ahead as much as you can!
As easy as procrastination can be, preparation is key to being a better holiday host! With guests to entertain, your own family to take care of, and meals to cook, it’s easy to get bogged down in the to-do’s in the moment! That’s why committing to cleaning, chopping, and additional food prep ahead of time will help free up some much-needed time as you host!
4) Treat your guests to cleaner, healthier water!
Water is probably the most utilized resource throughout your entire home. From showers and baths to dinner dishes and delicious seasonal drinks, you and your guests will be using your water the duration of their stay. Make sure that yours is clean, safe, and healthy for all with a whole-house water filtration system! Not only will your guests thank you, but so will your family all year long! Enjoy healthier skin and hair, longer appliance life spans, brighter whites in the laundry, a lowered toxin burden, and more with a system! Learn more now by scheduling an appointment with one of our local water experts!
5) Give yourself some grace!
This might be the most important time we have. Hosting during the holidays can be stressful, so be sure to cut yourself a little slack! Your list might not get completely checked off, you might be a casserole, and you might have to run to the grocery store more than once, but remember that you are doing a great job and your guests are having a great time, no matter how overwhelmed you may feel! You can do it!
From welcome baskets to gifts of grace, we hope that you found these 5 tips helpful as you prepare to host this holiday season! If you are interested in learning more about how a whole-house water filtration system can be a gift for you, your family, your guests, and your home, schedule an appointment with us by clicking below! Hosting or not, we would be honored to help bring better water to your home this holiday season!
Hosting Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving this year? You’ve triple-checked the guest list, ironed the tablecloths, and prepped Grandma’s stuffing recipe, but have you considered the water coming out of your tap?
It might sound minor, but water quality can make or break the flavor of your food and drinks. From flat-tasting coffee to funky-tasting pasta water, poor water can quietly sabotage your best dishes.
Let’s break down how to protect the taste of your holiday table from the top down, starting with what’s in your glass (and your pot, and your stock…).
Why Water Quality Impacts Taste
Water isn’t just a background ingredient; it’s often the main ingredient. Whether you’re boiling, baking, or brewing, if your water tastes like a chemistry experiment, your food will too.
Common Offenders in Tap Water:
- Chlorine – Adds a pool-water aroma to soups, sauces, and drinks.
- Hard Water Minerals (like calcium and magnesium) – Can leave a bitter, metallic aftertaste and mess with your bread rise.
- Sediment or Rust – No one’s asking for a side of iron oxide with their green bean casserole.
Clean water enhances the natural flavors of your ingredients. Dirty water dulls them or worse, alters them entirely.
The Holiday Menu Breakdown: Where Water Plays a Role
Here’s where clean water really struts its stuff on the holiday table:
1. Coffee & Tea
Using tap water for your post-feast coffee? Don’t. Minerals and chlorine kill the flavor. Clean, filtered water lets your beans and leaves shine.
2. Soups & Stocks
From turkey bone broth to butternut squash bisque, water is the base. Better water = richer, cleaner taste.
3. Boiled Veggies & Pasta
Hard water can toughen your green beans and affect pasta texture. Yes, even macaroni deserves clean water.
4. Baking Bread or Rolls
Chlorine can interfere with yeast, making your bread less fluffy and more “meh.”
5. Cocktails & Ice Cubes
Ever had a cocktail that tasted like tap? Not on your watch. Filtered water makes crisp ice and clean mixers.
Your Secret Ingredient? Clean Water.
We won’t crash your party with a sales pitch, but we will say this: If your water tastes off, it’s not your cooking, it’s your tap.
Family Water installs whole-home water filtration systems that:
- Remove chlorine and chemical contaminants
- Eliminate scale-causing minerals
- Make every drop taste fresher, smoother, and yes—more holiday-worthy
We’re the trusted local installers for Aquasana, the nation’s #1 direct-to-consumer filtration brand (backed by AO Smith). Translation: Big-league tech, hometown care. So if you’re prepping a feast and want it to taste its best, from cranberry sauce to coffee, we’re your flavor-saving sidekick.
Ready to make this your best-tasting holiday yet? Schedule your free in-home water test today. (No hard sell, no weird pressure—we’ll leave that to your extended family.)