Water Quality Report · Updated May 12, 2026
KINGSPORT WATER DEPT
KINGSPORT WATER DEPT delivers tap water graded D (57/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 107,739 residents in KINGSPORT, Tennessee using surface water. The most significant water quality concerns are: PFAS contamination; 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 423-224-2487.
Is KINGSPORT tap water safe to drink?
KINGSPORT WATER DEPT delivers tap water that earns a grade of D (57/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — a below-average rating, with multiple concerns including pfas contamination.
The utility serves 107,739 residents in KINGSPORT, drawing from surface water.
Public testing data identifies 11 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Trichloroacetic acid, Bromodichloromethane, Chloroform, Dichloroacetic acid, Chromium (hexavalent), Nitrate, Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Dibromochloromethane. 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 KINGSPORT residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for KINGSPORT WATER DEPT.
PFAS contamination
Severe concernPerfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) detected. PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to cancer and immune effects with no known safe exposure threshold.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 51.4 ppb, 857x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 31.5 ppb, 315x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernTotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 42.9 ppb, 286x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.
Contact KINGSPORT WATER DEPT
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 KINGSPORT
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.
Reverse Osmosis or NSF P473 certified carbon
$80-$750Activated carbon and RO are the only technologies proven to remove PFAS at certified levels.
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 57/100 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 |
51.4 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 857× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
31.5 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 315× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
42.9 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 286× over |
| Trichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
19.6 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 196× over |
| Bromodichloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
5.76 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 96× over |
| Chloroform Disinfection byproduct |
35.1 ppb | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 88× over |
| Dichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
10.2 ppb | 0.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 51× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.107 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 5.3× over |
| Nitrate Inorganic |
0.566 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | 4.0× over |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) PFAS |
0.492 ppt | 0.3 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 1 | — | 1.6× over |
| Dibromochloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
0.113 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1.1× over |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
13.6 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
32.7 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
2.75 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
0.223 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Monochloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
0.385 ppb | 53.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.113 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.395 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Lithium Other |
12.1 ppb | — | — | — | — | — | — | 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.
KINGSPORT WATER DEPT service area
This water system serves 1 community in Sullivan County, Tennessee. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for KINGSPORT water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.