Knoxville Tap Water Quality: Safety, Hardness & Lead - 2026

Is Knoxville Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Knoxville tap water meets all current EPA drinking water standards.

Lead — Lead (1.18 ppb) is at 8% of the EPA action level of 15 ppb.

The data below shows test results from 6 water utilities serving 602K people in the Knoxville area.

Based on publicly available data from EPA Water Quality Portal (Various). Water quality can vary by location, building plumbing, and over time. This assessment reflects compliance with federal EPA standards and is not medical advice.

Do I Need a Water Filter?

With very hard water (210 ppm), a water softener can reduce scale buildup in pipes, appliances, and water heaters.

How Hard is Knoxville Water?

SoftVery Hard

060120180300+

210 ppm

12.3 grains per gallon

Very Hard

Very hard water causes significant mineral buildup. A water softener is recommended.

Estimated from 1 neighboring county. Actual values may vary.

Impact on Your Home

Shower

Dries out skin & hair

Kitchen

Heavy mineral deposits

Laundry

Stiff, dingy clothes

Appliances

Significant scale

Regional Comparison

Knoxville

210

Tennessee

120

US Average

100

Values in ppm (mg/L as CaCO₃)

Do I Need a Water Softener?

At 210 ppm, Knoxville has very hard water. A water softener can help prevent scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, and pipes. According to the Water Quality Research Foundation, hard water can reduce appliance efficiency and increase energy costs. A whole-house water softener or salt-free conditioner can help.

Want to verify your home's exact hardness level? See our best water hardness test kits.

Based on 1 water samples from Knox County

Your pipes tell a different story

The data above shows what leaves the treatment plant—not what comes out of your faucet. Old pipes, lead solder, and building plumbing can add contaminants the city never tests for. Know exactly what's in your Knoxville tap water.

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Home test kits detect lead, bacteria, pesticides, and 100+ other contaminants. Results in 5-10 business days from certified labs.

Lead & Contaminants

Understanding lead levels and water quality violations in Knoxville

Lead Test Results

90th Percentile Lead Level

1.18 ppb

Below EPA Action Level

0EPA Limit (15)30+

Knoxville lead levels are well below the EPA action level.

Regular testing is still recommended, as lead can enter water through household plumbing.

Last sampled: 2025-12-31

About Lead in Drinking Water

What is Lead in Water?

According to the EPA, lead is a toxic metal that can dissolve into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. It's invisible, tasteless, and odorless, making testing the only way to detect it. The EPA has set an action level of 15 ppb and states there is no safe level of lead exposure.

Potential Health Effects

Children

According to the CDC: developmental delays, learning difficulties, lower IQ, behavioral issues

Adults

According to the EPA: high blood pressure, kidney damage, reproductive issues

How to Reduce Exposure

•Run water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking, especially in the morning
•Use cold water for cooking and drinking (hot water dissolves more lead)
•Install a NSF-certified filter designed to remove lead
•Test your water, especially if your home was built before 1986

EPA Compliance History

Active Violations

Administrative issues pending

Current violations are administrative or monitoring-related. Water quality is not immediately affected, but stay informed about utility updates.

3-Year Violation Summary

Total Violations

Health-Related

Administrative

Active violations pending resolution

Health-Related Violations

Contaminant exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels. The EPA recommends considering certified filtration.

Administrative Violations

Missed testing deadlines or reporting. Does not indicate water quality issues.

View Full EPA Compliance Report for Knoxville

Who Provides Knoxville's Water?

Utility Name

KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB

EPA System ID (PWSID)

TN0000366

Primary Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

602K

View Full EPA Report

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Knoxville tap water quality

Based on the most recent available data, Knoxville tap water meets all current EPA drinking water standards with no health-based violations in the past 3 years. Lead levels are below the EPA action level of 15 ppb.

Knoxville has very hard water with a hardness of 210 ppm (12.3 grains per gallon). Very hard water causes significant mineral buildup. A water softener is recommended.

Lead levels (1.18 ppb) are below the EPA action level of 15 ppb.

Knoxville's tap water is provided by KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB. The EPA system ID (PWSID) is TN0000366. The primary water source is Surface Water. You can find official water quality reports and contact information through your local utility.

With very hard water (210 ppm), a water softener can reduce scale buildup in pipes, appliances, and water heaters.

Knoxville's water utility has had 16 violations in the past 3 years. Of these, 0 were health-based and 16 were monitoring/reporting related.

Knoxville's water utility uses chlorine or chloramine to disinfect the water supply. This is a standard practice required by the EPA to prevent waterborne illness. The taste is usually more noticeable in warm weather or near treatment facilities. To reduce chlorine taste, let water sit in an open pitcher for 30 minutes, use a refrigerator filter, or install a carbon filter on your tap.

Knoxville's tap water primarily comes from surface water sources. Surface water is collected from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, then treated before distribution. The water is provided by KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB.

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