WaterQ
Tennessee State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is Knoxville tap water safe to drink?

✓ Generally Safe
A

Mostly yes — Knoxville scores 90/100.

Safety Score
90
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in Knoxville?

Read Decision Guide →

Knoxville

Tennessee

View Tennessee state report Data updated: Mar 2026

Is Knoxville tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Knoxville scores 90/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 1 local system in Knoxville. We found 0 total violations (0 unresolved).

Real-Time Environment

Live: 02:45 PM
0mm Precipitation

☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in Knoxville.

Water Quality Impact

✅ Minimal Impact Localized weather conditions may influence test result variability.

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Knoxville?

Requirement Status
Optional
🟢
💡

Expert Advice

Your water quality is excellent. Standard filtration is optional but can further enhance taste.

Buying a Filter?

Should you buy a water purifier in Knoxville? See our analysis.

Baby Formula Safety

Is Knoxville tap water safe for infants? Critical safety guide.

Homebuyer's Perspective

For those looking to relocate to Knoxville, water quality is a key factor in long-term property maintenance. The high safety score (90/100) suggests lower risk for plumbing corrosion and appliance scaling.

Property Impact: Positive / Stable

Health & Family Safety

Residents should monitor Turbidity levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Compliance Record for Knoxville

0
Violations (5yr)
0
Unresolved
8
Contaminants Tracked
1
Exceeding EPA Limit

Based on EPA SDWIS violation records and contaminant test results for all water systems serving Knoxville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Knoxville tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Knoxville scores 90/100.

How many water systems serve Knoxville?

Knoxville is served by 1 public water system in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

How can I check water quality for my exact address in Knoxville?

Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Knoxville.

What is the water quality score for Knoxville?

The water quality score for Knoxville is 90 out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.

What are the top contaminants in Knoxville?

The top contaminants detected in Knoxville include Turbidity, Lead, Total Trihalomethanes. View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
90/100
Grade
A
Water Systems
15
Population
592,057

Knoxville Water Quality Summary

Knoxville, TN receives a water quality score of 90/100 (Grade A) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 15 public water systems serving the area.

Knoxville's water quality is above the national average, with strong compliance records and low contaminant levels. Residents generally receive clean, safe tap water that meets EPA standards.

Knoxville's score of 90 is 6 points above the Tennessee state average of 84, and above the nationwide average of roughly 78/100 across all U.S. states.

For families and prospective homebuyers looking at Knoxville, this large city offers reassuring safety when it comes to household tap water. The regional network of various water systems consistently delivers water of exceptional quality, reflecting a strong infrastructure capable of handling a major urban center's demands. Set against the backdrop of the Southeast's mix of urban centers and rural Appalachian foothills, Tennessee residents here can count on clean, reliable water that supports daily life.

Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology → Read our Tennessee water quality rankings report →

Key Contaminants

Turbidity Violation
1.5664 / 1 NTU
0 NTU MCL: 1 NTU
Lead
13.6602 / 15 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 15 μg/L
Total Trihalomethanes
68.9738 / 80 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 80 μg/L
Nitrite
0.8512 / 1 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 1 mg/L
Fluoride
2.6965 / 4 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 4 mg/L
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
3.2946 / 5 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 5 μg/L
Selenium
29.8462 / 50 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 50 μg/L
Chromium (Total)
58.1503 / 100 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 100 μg/L

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Water Systems Serving Knoxville (1)

Related

Compare Knoxville water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality