Tap Water Results

Is Knoxville, TN tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Knoxville Utilities Board – KUB. 1 PFAS were detected below the limits.

6 public water systems serve parts of Knoxville. The largest, Knoxville Utilities Board – KUB, serves 254,671 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Knoxville Utilities Board – KUB

254,671 people · Surface water · EPA ID TN0000366

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 0.6 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Knoxville Utilities Board – KUB results

Across Tennessee, 17 of 275 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 0 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Tennessee results.

Knoxville homes and lead pipes

59%
of homes built before 1980 (Tennessee 41%, US 50%)
20%
built before 1950 (Tennessee 10%)
53%
of households rent (Tennessee 33%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Knoxville city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Knoxville

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Maryville 16 mi
South Blount Utility District
South Blount Utility DistrictNone above limits4.01 ppb
Oak Ridge 19 mi
Oak Ridge Dept of Public Works
Oak Ridge Dept of Public WorksNone above limits2.91 ppb
Morristown 40 mi
Morristown Utilities Commission
Morristown Utilities CommissionNone above limits2.7 ppb
Cleveland 75 mi
Cleveland Utilities
Cleveland UtilitiesNone above limits1 ppb
Kingsport 87 mi
Kingsport Water Dept
Kingsport Water DeptNone above limits1 ppb
Cookeville 88 mi
Cookeville Water Dept
Cookeville Water DeptNone above limits1 ppb
Knoxville ZIP codes (13)
  • 37902
  • 37909
  • 37912
  • 37914
  • 37915
  • 37916
  • 37917
  • 37918
  • 37919
  • 37920
  • 37921
  • 37923
  • 37929

Questions

Is Knoxville tap water safe to drink?

Knoxville Utilities Board – KUB has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Knoxville, TN?

6 public water systems serve parts of Knoxville. The largest is Knoxville Utilities Board – KUB (254,671 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Knoxville tap water have PFAS?

Knoxville Utilities Board – KUB had 1 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Knoxville homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 59% of Knoxville homes as built before 1980 (Tennessee: 41%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Knoxville Utilities Board – KUB's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.