KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUBmain system
City water report · 2026

Is Knoxville Tap Water Safe? 2026 Water Quality Report

Short answer: No measured result is above a legal limit. Knoxville Utilities Board - KUB serves 254,671 residents.

Likely match, check your bill

6 water systems report serving Knoxville

This report uses the largest, KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB. Your water bill or annual water quality report names your actual supplier.

Source
Surface water
Lead service lines
0 lead

Source: EPA SDWIS 2026Q2.

Your water utility

Knoxville Utilities Board: contact and record

Every detected result

2 detected results, by distance from their limit

KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (EPA PWSID TN0000366) delivers surface water to 254,671 residents. This report reflects 29 individual PFAS result(s) from the source UCMR5 observations and the latest Lead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile result. Water hardness and disinfectant type are pending the utility's own annual report.

29 other contaminants tested, none detected
  • 11Cl-PF3OUdS
  • 4:2 FTS
  • 6:2 FTS
  • 8:2 FTS
  • 9Cl-PF3ONS
  • ADONA
  • HFPO-DA (GenX)
  • NEtFOSAA
  • NFDHA
  • NMeFOSAA
  • PFBA
  • PFDA
  • PFDoA
  • PFEESA
  • PFHpA
  • PFHpS
  • PFHxA
  • PFHxS
  • PFMBA
  • PFMPA
  • PFNA
  • PFOA
  • PFOS
  • PFPeA
  • PFPeS
  • PFTA
  • PFTrDA
  • PFUnA
  • Lithium

Coverage by group

31 results on record
  • PFAS (forever chemicals)1 detected · 28 not detected
  • Metals & lead1 detected
  • Disinfection by-productsNot monitored
  • Other1 not detected
Track record

0health-based violations in the last 10 years

From EPA SDWIS. A clean violation history means no enforcement action was recorded; it does not cover contaminants without a limit.

Not in this recordDisinfection by-products weren't monitored in this dataset

No result is not a pass. Your utility's annual water quality report may list them, and a certified lab test covers your own tap.

Test your own tap

Screening tells you if something is worth a closer look; a lab result is the number you can act on.

As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

  • Screening: quick check, not lab-grade

    Safe Home DIY Lead in Drinking Water Combo Test Kit

    Safe Home (EnviroTestKits)

    Lead, read as one of three ranges: 0–4, 5–15 or 15+ ppb

    • Turnaround: 5 minutes

    What it can't tell you: It shows a lead range, not an exact level, and tests nothing else unless you pay extra for the optional lab test.

  • Lab-certified results

    ETR Labs Basic Water Quality Test Kit

    ETR Laboratories

    50+ substances, including lead, copper, arsenic, nitrate, hardness and coliform bacteria

    What it can't tell you: It does not test PFAS, and not every result on the panel falls under the lab's accredited scope.

Commercial

Certified for a concern found here

Each card names which Knoxville findings its current certification covers, and which it doesn't.

As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap earns from qualifying purchases. A product appears here only when a current certification record covers at least one identified concern; every concern stays listed. The retail offer is looked up afterwards and never changes which products appear or their order. Affiliate disclosure.

Under-Sink Filter

Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow Under-Sink Filter (AQ-6300M)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
Not suitable for (5)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
  • Anyone who can't plumb, drill or hire an installer
  • Renters who can't modify plumbing
Countertop System

Aquasana Clean Water Machine Countertop Filter (AQ-CWM2)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
See all 9 products certified for a Knoxville concern →
Countertop System

AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse-Osmosis Purifier (AT2000)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
Water Pitcher

Culligan ZeroWater 10-Cup Pitcher (ZEROP10)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
Faucet Attachment

Faucet-Mount Filter

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Carbon Block Filter

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
Not suitable for (4)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
  • Anyone who can't plumb, drill or hire an installer
Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Reverse-Osmosis System

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
Not suitable for (5)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
  • Anyone who can't plumb, drill or hire an installer
  • Renters who can't modify plumbing
Under-Sink Filter

Waterdrop G3P600 Tankless Reverse-Osmosis System

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
Not suitable for (5)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
  • Anyone who can't plumb, drill or hire an installer
  • Renters who can't modify plumbing
Refrigerator Filter

Whirlpool Filter 3 Refrigerator Water Filter (WHR3RXD1)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is Knoxville tap water safe to drink?

PurityMap does not give a safe/unsafe verdict; it shows what the public records measured. For Knoxville, PFAS were detected below their limits; the lead 90th-percentile result was 0.6 µg/L against the 15 µg/L action level. KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (PWSID TN0000366) has a Purity Score of 99/100 (confidence: moderate), assessed at the water-system level and computed only from contaminants that were measured. Water can change in your own pipes, so a certified test is the only way to know what comes out of your tap.

Who provides tap water in Knoxville?

KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (PWS ID TN0000366) is the public water system on record for Knoxville, Tennessee, serving about 254,671 people. Confirm the utility on your water bill before acting on a specific finding.

Where does Knoxville get its drinking water?

Surface water (primary source of record in EPA SDWIS).

Are PFAS "forever chemicals" in Knoxville's water?

In EPA's UCMR 5 testing (2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28), PFBS was detected at 3.7 ng/L, below the 2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory.

Is there lead in Knoxville's tap water?

KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB's most recent lead 90th-percentile result (2023–2025) was 0.6 µg/L, below the 15 µg/L action level. That figure comes from sampled homes; lead usually enters from a building's own pipes and fixtures, so only a test at your tap tells you what you drink.

What does the latest Knoxville water report show?

PurityMap's current record for Knoxville holds 31 findings: 2 detected within the reference and 29 not detected. Each finding links to its dated public record; a parameter that was never monitored is shown as pending, not as a pass.

Follow this water

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Sources and dataAll 31 records and their sourcesEPA UCMR 5 · EPA SDWIS (Lead & Copper Rule)
ContaminantResultBenchmarkSampledSource
Lead (90th percentile)0.6 µg/L15 µg/L federal action level2023–2025 monitoring periodLead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)3.7 ng/L2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
29 other contaminants tested — none detected
ContaminantResultBenchmarkSampledSource
11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)< 2 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) (GenX chemicals)< 5 ng/L10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Lithium< 9 µg/L10 µg/L EPA health reference level (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)< 6 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA)< 20 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)< 4 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)< 3 ng/L10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)< 3 ng/L400,000 ng/L Michigan EGLE state MCL (strictest US state)2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)< 4 ng/L10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)< 4 ng/L4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)< 4 ng/L4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)< 4 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA)< 8 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)< 7 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)
Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)< 2 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)

Lead (90th percentile)

Result
0.6 µg/L
Benchmark
15 µg/L federal action level
Sampled
2023–2025 monitoring period

Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)

Result
3.7 ng/L
Benchmark
2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28
29 other contaminants tested — none detected

11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)

Result
< 2 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) (GenX chemicals)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Lithium

Result
< 9 µg/L
Benchmark
10 µg/L EPA health reference level (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)

Result
< 6 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA)

Result
< 20 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
400,000 ng/L Michigan EGLE state MCL (strictest US state)
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA)

Result
< 8 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)

Result
< 7 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)

Result
< 2 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2024-01-23 to 2024-10-28

Every value is the published result from the cited public record. A reporting limit is the lowest level the method could reliably quantify; a non-detect is not a guarantee of zero.

  • UCMR5 Analytical Results

    UCMR5 Analytical Results: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)

    US EPA

    Published
    2026-01-15
    Newest sample
    2024-10-28
    Findings here
    30
  • State SDWIS Compliance Record

    Lead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile: KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD - KUB (TN0000366)

    US EPA SDWIS

    Published
    2026-07-09
    Newest sample
    2025
    Findings here
    1

Methodology: how we analyze water. Prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the PurityMap Editorial Team before publication.