Latest Testing Results

• Lead and Copper Monitoring: KUB’s EPA-required service line inventory found no evidence of lead service lines anywhere in the water distribution system. Recent lead and copper monitoring shows zero sampled households exceeded the lead action level of 15 ppb — an excellent result. KUB worked with a consultant reviewing historical records, statistical analysis, customer surveys, and service excavations to determine pipe materials across the network.
• PFAS Testing: KUB’s 2024 Water Quality Report (covering 2023 data, released May 2025) confirms no PFAS compounds were detected in Knoxville’s drinking water supply. Monitoring will continue under the EPA’s April 2024 PFAS rule, which requires public water systems to complete initial monitoring by 2027 and achieve compliance by 2029 — with some compound deadlines proposed for extension to 2031. Stay updated at our water alerts and news section.
• Disinfection Byproducts: Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) measured at 40.8 ppb — within the EPA limit of 80 ppb but approximately 272 times above EWG health guidelines. Haloacetic acids (HAA5) measured at 30.1–40.0 ppb, within the EPA limit of 60 ppb but substantially above EWG health-based benchmarks.
• Testing Scope: KUB conducts over 100,000 water quality tests annually at its state-certified laboratory, monitoring for more than 150 contaminants — significantly exceeding federal and state requirements. The 2024 Water Quality Report is available at kub.org.
• Compliance Status: For the most recent quarter assessed by the EPA (April–June 2024), KUB’s water was in full compliance with all federal health-based drinking water standards and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation regulations. No violations have been recorded. See our national water quality overview for broader comparison.

Water Sources

• Tennessee River: KUB’s sole water source, providing reliable surface water treated at the Mark B. Whitaker Water Treatment Plant, processing over 30 million gallons daily for the Knoxville metropolitan area.
• Source Water Assessment: The Tennessee River source requires robust multi-barrier treatment. KUB implements three phases of disinfection — removing particles, secondary disinfection, then post-filtration disinfection — to ensure consistent water safety.
• Environmental Protection: KUB actively participates in source water protection initiatives and community education to minimise contamination risks to the Tennessee River watershed, including proper medication disposal and hazardous waste recycling programmes.

Advanced Treatment Technology

• Mark B. Whitaker Plant: The primary treatment facility processes over 30 million gallons daily using advanced multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and triple-stage disinfection technologies.
• Disinfection System: Utilises chlorine dioxide and chlorine disinfection across three treatment phases, plus corrosion control measures to protect distribution pipes and customer plumbing.
• Quality Monitoring: Real-time monitoring systems throughout the treatment process ensure consistent water quality, with 24/7 staffing and continuous testing by KUB chemists and microbiologists. KUB received the Water Environment Federation’s Water Heroes Award for exceptional emergency response with zero customer service interruptions.

Infrastructure Modernisation

• Century II Programme: KUB’s long-running infrastructure maintenance programme systematically replaces ageing water pipes with modern materials designed to last over 100 years, ensuring long-term system reliability and reducing contamination risk from deteriorating mains.
• Service Line Inventory: KUB has completed the EPA-required mapping of all water service lines and found no evidence of lead service lines throughout its distribution system — a significant public health advantage over many US cities. See our Flint lead crisis page for context on the risks of lead infrastructure elsewhere.
• Cross-Connection Control: KUB maintains a robust Cross-Connection Control Programme requiring backflow prevention devices where needed to protect the drinking water system from potential contamination sources from private plumbing.

Customer Support & Community Programmes

KUB provides extensive customer support through water quality education, free water testing assistance, and transparent communication via annual water quality reports. The utility’s H2O To Go mobile water unit is available for community events, providing cold tap water and promoting trust in Knoxville’s water supply. KUB’s commitment to service includes 24/7 emergency response at 865-524-2911, Spanish-language customer support, and regular public meetings where community members can participate in utility governance. For independent filtration recommendations tailored to Knoxville’s water profile — particularly for disinfection byproduct reduction — visit our water filter solutions guide. You can also check for active boil water notices affecting the Knoxville area at any time.