Tap Water Results

Is Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge Dept of Public Works.

2 public water systems serve parts of Oak Ridge. The largest, Oak Ridge Dept of Public Works, serves 41,614 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Oak Ridge Dept of Public Works

41,614 people · Surface water · EPA ID TN0000522

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: 2.91 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: 1

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.

Oak Ridge homes and lead pipes

67%
of homes built before 1980 (Tennessee 41%, US 50%)
32%
built before 1950 (Tennessee 10%)
34%
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 Oak Ridge city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Oak Ridge

  • Anderson County Water Authority
    29,945 people · Surface water · Tennessee · reported ZIPs here
    No PFAS above limitsAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Knoxville 19 mi
Knoxville Utilities Board – KUB
Knoxville Utilities Board – KUBNone above limits0.6 ppb
Maryville 23 mi
South Blount Utility District
South Blount Utility DistrictNone above limits4.01 ppb
Morristown 58 mi
Morristown Utilities Commission
Morristown Utilities CommissionNone above limits2.7 ppb
Cleveland 63 mi
Cleveland Utilities
Cleveland UtilitiesNone above limits1 ppb
Cookeville 69 mi
Cookeville Water Dept
Cookeville Water DeptNone above limits1 ppb
Chattanooga 82 mi
Tennessee American Water
Tennessee American WaterNone above limits1 ppb
Oak Ridge ZIP codes (1)
  • 37830

Questions

Is Oak Ridge tap water safe to drink?

Oak Ridge Dept of Public Works had 1 health-based violation 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 Oak Ridge, TN?

2 public water systems serve parts of Oak Ridge. The largest is Oak Ridge Dept of Public Works (41,614 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Oak Ridge tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Oak Ridge Dept of Public Works had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Oak Ridge homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 67% of Oak Ridge 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. Oak Ridge Dept of Public Works'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.