Knoxville – Tennessee – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) provides comprehensive water services to approximately 236,000 residents across Knoxville and parts of seven surrounding counties. Established in 1939 as an independent municipal utility, the system draws water from the Tennessee River and processes it at the state-of-the-art Mark B. Whitaker Water Treatment Plant. With a daily capacity to treat over 30 million gallons, KUB delivers clean, safe drinking water through an extensive distribution network that serves the heart of East Tennessee.
KUB sources its drinking water exclusively from the Tennessee River, utilizing advanced surface water treatment technologies at their primary facility. The utility maintains one of Tennessee’s largest state-certified water quality laboratories, conducting over 100,000 tests annually for more than 150 contaminants—far exceeding EPA and state requirements. KUB’s water consistently meets all federal and state quality standards, with the utility investing significantly in infrastructure modernization, environmental stewardship, and emerging contaminant monitoring to ensure safe water delivery for current and future generations.
Knoxville Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead and Copper Monitoring: The most recent testing in 2022 showed excellent compliance with EPA regulations, with zero out of 61 households sampled exceeding the lead action level of 15 ppb.
- Testing Scope: KUB conducts over 100,000 water quality tests annually at their state-certified laboratory, monitoring for more than 150 contaminants—significantly exceeding federal and state requirements.
- Compliance Status: KUB’s water consistently meets all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining full compliance with EPA and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation regulations.
Water Sources
- Tennessee River: KUB’s sole water source, providing reliable surface water that undergoes comprehensive treatment at the Mark B. Whitaker Water Treatment Plant.
- Source Water Assessment: The Tennessee River source is rated as reasonably susceptible to potential contamination, requiring robust multi-barrier treatment approaches to ensure water safety.
- Environmental Protection: KUB actively participates in source water protection initiatives and community education programs to minimize contamination risks to the Tennessee River watershed.
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 disinfection technologies.
- Disinfection System: Utilizes chlorine dioxide and chlorine disinfection processes with corrosion control measures to prevent lead and copper leaching from distribution systems and customer plumbing.
- Quality Monitoring: Real-time monitoring systems throughout the treatment process ensure consistent water quality, with turbidity levels consistently maintained below 0.3 NTU for optimal filtration effectiveness.
Infrastructure Modernization
- Century II Program: KUB’s comprehensive infrastructure maintenance program systematically replaces aging water pipes with modern materials designed to last over 100 years, ensuring long-term system reliability.
- Service Line Inventory: KUB has completed extensive mapping of water service lines and to date has found no lead service lines in its system, with ongoing customer education about identifying pipe materials.
- Cross-Connection Control: Maintains a robust Cross-Connection Control Program requiring backflow prevention devices where needed to protect the drinking water system from potential contamination sources.
Customer Protection Initiatives
KUB provides extensive customer support through water quality education programs, free water testing assistance, and transparent communication via annual water quality reports available to all customers. The utility’s environmental stewardship extends beyond water quality to include biosolids management, community solar programs, and energy efficiency initiatives. KUB’s commitment to customer service includes 24/7 emergency response, multilingual customer support, and regular public meetings where community members can participate in utility governance and decision-making processes.
Recommendations for Knoxville Residents
Check Your Service Line
Visit www.kub.org/serviceinventory to watch a video on identifying your water service line materials, or call 865-594-8377 with questions. KUB’s inventory has found no lead service lines, but older homes may have plumbing components containing lead.
Energy & Water Conservation
Take advantage of KUB’s energy and water saving workshops offered throughout the community. KUB also offers EV charger rebates up to $400 for residential customers and time-of-use rates to help reduce utility costs.
Consider Home Filtration
While KUB’s water meets all safety standards, homes with older plumbing may benefit from NSF-certified filters for drinking and cooking water, especially for reducing disinfection byproducts and ensuring optimal taste and odor.
Protect Source Water
Help protect the Tennessee River by properly disposing of medications at collection sites, recycling household hazardous waste at 1033 Elm Street, and avoiding pollution that can reach storm drains and waterways. Visit www.kub.org/water for tips.
Report Issues
Contact KUB Customer Service at 865-524-2911 (available 24/7) for water main breaks, pressure problems, or quality concerns. For Spanish-speaking customers, press 2. Report any water system issues promptly to maintain service reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knoxville’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, KUB’s tap water meets all federal and state drinking water standards. The water comes from the Tennessee River and undergoes comprehensive treatment at the Mark B. Whitaker Water Treatment Plant using advanced multi-barrier treatment processes.
KUB conducts over 100,000 tests annually for more than 150 contaminants—far exceeding EPA requirements. The utility maintains one of Tennessee’s largest state-certified water quality laboratories and has an excellent track record of regulatory compliance. KUB’s commitment to water quality is demonstrated through transparent annual reporting and continuous monitoring throughout the treatment and distribution process.
Why does my water sometimes taste or smell different?
Occasional taste and odor changes can occur due to several factors:
1. Seasonal source water variations: Natural changes in the Tennessee River can affect taste and odor, especially during heavy rainfall, drought periods, or temperature fluctuations
2. Treatment process adjustments: Minor modifications to disinfection levels or treatment processes to maintain water quality may cause temporary taste or odor changes
3. Home plumbing factors: Internal plumbing issues, infrequently used faucets, or older pipes can sometimes cause taste or odor concerns
If taste or odor issues persist, contact KUB at 865-524-2911 for assistance. Running cold water for a few minutes after periods of non-use often helps improve water quality from your tap.
Does Knoxville have lead in its water system?
KUB has excellent lead compliance and has implemented comprehensive measures to prevent lead contamination:
• Lead service lines: KUB’s extensive service line inventory has found no lead service lines in its distribution system, significantly reducing the risk of lead contamination
• Corrosion control: The utility uses safe corrosion inhibitors and optimizes water treatment to prevent leaching of lead and copper from customer plumbing systems
• Testing results: In the most recent lead and copper monitoring (2022), zero out of 61 households sampled exceeded the lead action level of 15 ppb
• Customer education: KUB provides resources at www.kub.org/serviceinventory to help customers identify their home’s pipe materials
Homes built before 1988 have a higher likelihood of containing lead components in internal plumbing, which is why KUB recommends flushing taps for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking if water has been sitting unused.
What conservation programs does KUB offer?
KUB provides several conservation and efficiency programs for customers:
Energy and Water Programs:
• Free energy and water saving workshops throughout the community for youth and adults
• EV charger rebates up to $400 for residential customers installing Level 2 charging stations
• Time-of-use rate options to help customers reduce utility bills
Environmental Initiatives:
• KUB Community Solar program providing renewable energy options
• Biosolids management program offering free fertilizer to local farmers
• TeenWork summer internship program for local students
For more information about available programs and rebates, visit www.kub.org or call 865-524-2911.
Contaminants of Concern
Disinfection Byproducts
Source: Formed when disinfectants such as chlorine react with naturally occurring organic matter in the Tennessee River source water; levels monitored quarterly throughout the distribution system
Health Effects: Long-term exposure to elevated levels may increase risk of certain cancers and potentially affect liver, kidney, and central nervous system
Current Levels: Total trihalomethanes maximum annual average: 49 ppb, haloacetic acids maximum annual average: 34 ppb, both well below EPA limits EPA Limits: 80 ppb for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and 60 ppb for haloacetic acids (HAA5)
PFAS Compounds
Source: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances originating from industrial processes, firefighting foams, and consumer products that can enter source waters through various pathways
Health Effects: Research suggests potential concerns including impacts on immune system, thyroid function, cholesterol levels, and possible links to certain cancers
Current Status: KUB’s 2024 unregulated monitoring for 29 PFAS compounds detected none in the drinking water supply; ongoing monitoring will continue with results reported in future water quality reports EPA Regulations: New EPA regulations for specific PFAS compounds were finalized in April 2024, with compliance monitoring beginning in 2027
Please read – our information
The information presented on cleanairandwater.net is compiled from official water quality reports, trusted news sources, government websites, and public health resources. While we strive for accuracy and thoroughness in our presentations, we are not scientists, engineers, or qualified water quality professionals.
Our mission is to present water quality information in an accessible, real-world format that helps people understand what’s in their water and make informed decisions about their health and safety. We believe that complex environmental information should be available to everyone in a format that’s easy to understand.
We make every effort to ensure our content is current and accurate, but we cannot guarantee that all information is complete or error-free. This website should not replace official communications from your local water utility or health department. We always recommend consulting official sources for the most up-to-date information regarding your specific water system.
Clean Air and Water is not liable for any unintentional errors, omissions, or outdated information. The content on this site is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.
