Water Quality Report · Updated May 12, 2026
FIRST U.D. OF KNOX COUNTY
FIRST U.D. OF KNOX COUNTY delivers tap water graded C (65/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 115,531 residents in KNOXVILLE, Tennessee using surface water. The most significant water quality concerns are: Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline; Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline. For questions, the utility can be reached at 865-966-9741.
Is KNOXVILLE tap water safe to drink?
FIRST U.D. OF KNOX COUNTY delivers tap water that earns a grade of C (65/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — an average rating, with several contaminants above health guidelines but generally compliant with US legal limits.
The utility serves 115,531 residents in KNOXVILLE, drawing from surface water.
Public testing data identifies 8 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Bromodichloromethane, Chloroform, Dibromochloromethane, Nitrate, Chromium (hexavalent). For most residents, a properly certified home filter at the kitchen tap is the most cost-effective way to reduce exposure to whatever's in your water. See our filter recommendations below, matched specifically to this utility's contaminant profile.
Quick actions for KNOXVILLE residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for FIRST U.D. OF KNOX COUNTY.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 37.8 ppb, 630x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 30.9 ppb, 309x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernTotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 45.4 ppb, 303x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.
Contact FIRST U.D. OF KNOX COUNTY
Reach the utility directly for service issues, water quality concerns, or to request your Consumer Confidence Report.
General Contact
Treatment Plant
Recommended water filters for KNOXVILLE
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.
Carbon block (NSF/ANSI 42 + 53)
$40-$750Activated carbon is highly effective for disinfection byproducts like TTHM and HAA5.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
Score breakdown
This utility's overall score of 65/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →
Contaminants detected — international standards comparison
Every contaminant detected, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal (the strictest US benchmark). Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
37.8 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 630× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
30.9 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 309× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
45.4 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 303× over |
| Bromodichloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
6.0 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 100× over |
| Chloroform Disinfection byproduct |
12.2 ppb | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 30× over |
| Dibromochloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
1.53 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 15× over |
| Nitrate Inorganic |
0.729 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | 5.2× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.0813 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 4.1× over |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
176.3 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| 1,4-Dioxane Semi-volatile organic compound |
0.173 ppb | 0.35 | — | — | 50 | 1 | — | Below guideline |
| Aluminum Heavy metal |
121.0 ppb | 600.0 | — | 200 | — | 600 | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
24.7 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
1.39 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
0.0875 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| 2,4-D Pesticide/Herbicide |
0.06 ppb | 20.0 | 70.0 | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) PFAS |
3.93 ppt | 2000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) PFAS |
0.75 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.0799 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.39 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines (4th ed.), California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
FIRST U.D. OF KNOX COUNTY service area
This water system serves 1 community in Knox County, Tennessee. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for KNOXVILLE water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.