TDEC Division of Water Resources

11/13/2026

💧 Help Shape Tennessee's Next Small MS4 Permit!

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) is seeking input from Small MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permittees and interested stakeholders as we develop the next stormwater permit.

📋 Take Our Survey (10-15 minutes)
https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/smallms4survey

🔗 Register for and join a Virtual Listening Session:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/uw01ff8tM1
📅 December 3 | 2:00–3:30 p.m. CT
📅 December 8 | 9:00–10:30 a.m. CT

In each listening session, TDEC staff will present survey findings for each MS4 Minimum Control Measure (MCM) and will give time for additional stakeholder comments for each topic.

📧 Questions? Contact [email protected]

11/11/2026

10/22/2026

We are now accepting abstracts for the 2027 Tennessee Water Resources Symposium!

10/16/2026

💧 28 Tennessee communities. One powerful message: Water matters!

From small towns to large counties, communities across Tennessee are coming together to recognize the importance of clean, reliable water.

This week, 28 mayors across Tennessee signed proclamations recognizing Imagine a Day Without Water, joining the nationwide effort that highlights the essential role water plays in our everyday lives. Behind every drop are dedicated water professionals and critical infrastructure that keep Tennessee running.

👏 Thank you to all 28 communities for helping raise awareness and reminding Tennesseans that water is worth protecting!

Bedford County, Tennessee Sumner County, Tennessee Wilson County, TN - Government City of Jackson, TN - Government Montgomery County, Tennessee City of Spring Hill, TN - Municipal Government Williamson County Tennessee Government

10/15/2026

On , we're highlighting a real investment making a difference in Columbia, Tennessee! 💧

TDEC has awarded an additional $1 million to help the City of Columbia improve its Bear Creek Pike Pump Station, bringing total state grant funding for the city's wastewater infrastructure improvements to $5.8 million.

The project will move the pump station out of a flood-prone area and modernize equipment, helping create a more reliable and resilient wastewater system for residents and businesses.

It's one example of how TDEC is working with communities across Tennessee to strengthen essential infrastructure, protect public health, and invest in the future.

Because a day without water is something no community should have to imagine.

10/15/2026

Most people never meet the people protecting their drinking water.

But behind every running faucet, every glass of clean water, and every properly treated gallon of wastewater are dedicated professionals working to keep Tennessee's communities safe and healthy.

From monitoring water quality and maintaining aging infrastructure to responding to emergencies, water operators are problem-solvers who show up when their communities need them most. That includes nights, weekends, holidays, and even during extreme weather when keeping water flowing becomes more challenging than ever.

Tennessee has more than 4,000 drinking water and wastewater operators, holding nearly 6,000 licenses to operate and manage our water systems.
Their work keeps our taps flowing and our communities thriving.

For Imagine a Day Without Water, we’re highlighting a day in the life of a water operator and the professionals who make reliable water possible.

Today - and every day - thank a water professional. 💧

Murfreesboro Water Resources Department Fleming Training Center

10/14/2026

How well do you know Tennessee’s water?

From storm drains and streamside vegetation to household leaks and groundwater, there are plenty of things about water that may surprise you.

Swipe through to test your knowledge and learn a little more about the water resources we all depend on.

Which fact surprised you the most? Tell us in the comments.

10/13/2026

All this stops without water.

A shower. A morning cup of coffee. A family meal. A visit to a Tennessee State Park. Manufacturing. Farming. Hospitals. Fire protection. Every day, water quietly makes these moments and so many others possible.

As we count down to on October 15, swipe through these photos and imagine Tennessee without the water infrastructure and operators that keep our communities, economy, and way of life moving.

Which one would you miss the most? Tell us in the comments, and why.

10/12/2026

Water doesn't just come from the tap, it depends on the infrastructure most people never see.

Through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Congress provided funding to help states invest in critical infrastructure and strengthen communities recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. In Tennessee, those investments are helping modernize drinking water and wastewater systems that protect public health every day.

Here are two examples in Maryville, Tennessee of how those funds are making a difference:

💧 $1.79 million helped rehabilitate aging sewer lines and manholes, reducing leaks and preventing excess groundwater from overwhelming the wastewater system during heavy rains.

🚰 $1.18 million funded a new water storage tank that improves water reliability, protects against contamination, balances system demand, and provides emergency water during power outages, droughts, and other emergencies.

Reliable water doesn't happen by accident. It takes smart investments, strong partnerships, and dedicated professionals working behind the scenes to ensure clean, safe water is there when Tennesseans need it.

10/12/2026

The water flowing through your community doesn’t stop at city limits.

Streams and rivers connect neighborhoods and communities downstream. What happens in one area can affect the people and ecosystems beyond it.

Protecting stormwater quality is a shared responsibility.