Division of Water Resources

TDEC is responsible for managing, protecting and enhancing the quality of the state's water resources through voluntary, regulatory and educational programs.

The Division of Water Resources is the administrative agent for key Tennessee Statutes, Rules and Regulations:

Water Quality Control Act, regulating surface waters in Tennessee (Water Pollution Control Rules), Tennessee Safe Drinking Water Act, regulating the quality and quantity of drinking water in the state (Safe Drinking Water Supply Rules),  Safe Dams Act, regulating the construction of non-federal dams (Safe Dams Rules),  Water Wells Act, regulating the licensing of well drillers and pump setters (Well Rules), Water Withdrawal Registration Act, requiring the registration of water withdrawal.

You can access the Tennessee Code Annotated for the statutes above.


Water Supply Program

Drinking Water Program, Wellhead Protection Program,Underground Injection Control, Source Water Assessment

Watershed Stewardship

Watershed Planning, including the watershed management approach, our assessment process, monitoring program, advisories and TMDL Program

Water Permits

Water Based Permitting, Land Based Permitting, State Operation Permits

Septic Systems Permits

Septic Systems, Septic Installers & Pumpers, Approved Soil Consultants

Water Quality Rules, Reports & Publications

Water Quality Laws & Rules, Planning Documents, Water Quality Assessment Publications, Technical & Engineering Documents

NPDES Electronic Reporting

NPDES Electronic Reporting, NetDMR Info & Support

Water Notices & Hearings

Rulemaking, Public Participation Opportunities, Permit Public Notices

State Revolving Fund Program

Clean Water SRF Program, Drinking Water SRF Program, Priority Ranking, Planning, Design & Construction

Drought Updates

During drought conditions,  we will provide current listings of water systems with drought plans in process, along with links with more information to assist citizens during a dry season.

TN H2O

Steering Committee, News & Working groups

TN Plant Optimization Programs

TN POP includes free programs operated by TDEC DWR that provides resources to support water and wastewater operators in achieving optimization in plant operation, energy use and nutrient removal for their facilities through low-and-no-cost measures.

Fleming Training Center

Operator Training & Certification Services, Schedule of Classes, Course Books & Reference Materials

Calendar of Events

TDEC's Calendar of Events

If it is hard for you to read, speak, or understand English, please see our Language Assistance webpage for more information about our free language assistance services.

This Page Last Updated: July 19, 2019 at 8:54 AM