Water Quality Report · Updated May 12, 2026
WEST KNOX UTILITY DISTRICT
WEST KNOX UTILITY DISTRICT delivers tap water graded C (65/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 77,825 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 865-690-2521.
Is KNOXVILLE tap water safe to drink?
WEST KNOX UTILITY DISTRICT 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 77,825 residents in KNOXVILLE, drawing from surface water.
Public testing data identifies 12 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, Dibromochloromethane, Chromium (hexavalent), Nitrate, Chlorate, Dibromoacetic acid. 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 WEST KNOX UTILITY DISTRICT.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 44.4 ppb, 741x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 29.7 ppb, 297x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernTotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 38.0 ppb, 254x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.
Contact WEST KNOX UTILITY DISTRICT
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 |
44.4 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 741× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
29.7 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 297× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
38.0 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 254× over |
| Trichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
14.6 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 146× over |
| Bromodichloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
5.89 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 98× over |
| Chloroform Disinfection byproduct |
30.3 ppb | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 76× over |
| Dichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
12.0 ppb | 0.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 60× over |
| Dibromochloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
0.53 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5.3× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.0703 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 3.5× over |
| Nitrate Inorganic |
0.401 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | 2.9× over |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
288.7 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1.4× over |
| Dibromoacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
0.0408 ppb | 0.03 | — | — | — | — | — | 1.4× over |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
7.09 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Monochloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
1.67 ppb | 53.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
0.187 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Molybdenum Other |
0.0933 ppb | 40.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.135 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | 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.
WEST KNOX UTILITY DISTRICT 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.