Knox County Water Quality: 57 Violations (TN)
14 water systems · 22 ZIP codes · Home Safety Score 65/100 (C) · 22 of 35 tracked ZIP records scored · Updated
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified:
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Find the Right Filter →Water Quality Overview
Knox County has 14 community water systems across 22 directly mapped ZIP records. The systems report serving approximately 765,582 people. The available records contain 57 EPA violations, including 1 health-based violation.
Health-based violations account for 2% of all violations in Knox County. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 1 | 1.8% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 56 | 98.2% |
| Total | 57 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report.
Cities with Most Violations
| Rank | City | Violations | Health-Based | ZIP Codes | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | 20 | 0 | 18 | 442,846 |
| 2 | Powell | 15 | 0 | 1 | 28,872 |
| 3 | Corryton | 12 | 1 | 1 | 14,649 |
| 4 | Strawberry Plains | 6 | 0 | 1 | 8,548 |
| 5 | Mascot | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3,011 |
Most Common Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 20 | 12 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 7 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 7 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 10 | 1 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | 5 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 1 | 1 | No |
Water Data and the Home Safety Score
This page reports EPA water-system facts without converting the broader Home Safety Score into a drinking-water grade. The county Home Safety grade (C) is a separate multi-source index that also requires PFAS screening, radon, and annual air-quality evidence. Check each ZIP report for the versioned score and its component coverage.
Water Systems in Knox County
Knox County is served by 14 community water systems, averaging 0.4 systems per ZIP code. Each system is independently regulated and tested by the EPA. Larger systems serving more people typically have more extensive monitoring requirements.
Water systems in Knox County source water from a mix of surface water (rivers, reservoirs) and groundwater (wells, aquifers). Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be detected.
How to Check Your Water in Knox County
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water-system data including contaminant levels and violation history; the Home Safety Score is shown separately with its model version
Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400) can detect contaminants not covered by routine testing
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
Check for lead — homes built before 1986 should test for lead regardless of utility compliance
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 219 enforcement actions against water systems in Knox County. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance and administrative orders to formal penalties. Systems under enforcement are required to remediate violations and may face ongoing monitoring requirements.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Source publication schedules vary. See the page source and verification fields for available timing evidence.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Knox County
Water quality varies across Knox County's 22 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | City | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37849 | Powell | 15 | 0 | View → |
| 37721 | Corryton | 12 | 1 | View → |
| 37871 | Strawberry Plains | 6 | 0 | View → |
| 37806 | Mascot | 4 | 0 | View → |
| 37924 | Knoxville | 4 | 0 | View → |
| 37938 | Knoxville | 4 | 0 | View → |
| 37918 | Knoxville | 3 | 0 | View → |
| 37920 | Knoxville | 2 | 0 | View → |
| 37934 | Knoxville | 2 | 0 | View → |
| 37909 | Knoxville | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 37921 | Knoxville | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 37923 | Knoxville | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 37931 | Knoxville | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 37932 | Knoxville | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 37902 | Knoxville | 0 | 0 | View → |
| 37912 | Knoxville | 0 | 0 | View → |
| 37914 | Knoxville | 0 | 0 | View → |
| 37915 | Knoxville | 0 | 0 | View → |
| 37916 | Knoxville | 0 | 0 | View → |
| 37917 | Knoxville | 0 | 0 | View → |
Water facts and the Home Safety Score
The score shown here is the broader Home Safety Score, not a water-quality grade. Model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, PFAS screening, radon zones, and annual air-quality evidence. Knox County has a score of 65/100 (Grade C) across 22 scored of 35 tracked ZIP records.
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Find the Right Filter →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe in Knox County, Tennessee?
Knox County has 14 community water systems with 57 recorded EPA violations, including 1 health-based. Water quality varies by ZIP code - check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does Knox County have?
Knox County has 57 total EPA violations across 22 directly mapped ZIP records. 1 is health-based.
Which city in Knox County has the most water violations?
Knoxville has the most violations in Knox County with 20 recorded EPA violations across 18 ZIP codes.
What contaminants are found in Knox County water?
Knox County water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. Check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.
How can I test my water in Knox County?
Contact your local water utility for free or low-cost testing. You can also use a certified home test kit ($20-$50) or hire a certified lab ($150-$400).