Bells Public Utility District
EPA ID: TN0000045 · 2,610 people served · 1 ZIP code
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Bells Public Utility District (TN0000045): 6 EPA violations in the last five years. Bells Public Utility District carries 6 resolved violations in the five-year EPA record - each has been formally closed, and the supplier, which serves approximately 2,610 people, now meets all applicable federal drinking water standards with no open enforcement activity remaining.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Bells Public Utility District Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Service Area Demographics
The Bells Public Utility District serves a community with a median household income of $61,250 and an estimated 5,375 residents across its service area. Approximately 46% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 60% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Bells Public Utility District's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Bells Public Utility District compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Monochloroacetic Acid at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Gross Alpha at 1 pCi/L exceeds the EPA maximum of pCi/L. Increased cancer risk from radioactive particles. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Radium-226 at 1 pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L) exceeds the EPA maximum of pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L). Bone cancer and leukemia (known carcinogen). Consider ion exchange (water softener) filtration.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 2 detections recorded.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Bells Public Utility District (EPA ID: TN0000045) is a community water system in Tennessee that serves approximately 2,610 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 38006 in Bells.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 3 resolved, 3 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Non-health-based | Archived |
| July 1, 2025 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2025 | Monochloroacetic Acid | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Gross Alpha | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Radium-226 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Radium-228 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
| Radium-226 | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0041 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by TN or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
- 38006 - Bells
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Bells Public Utility District (TN0000045) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bells Public Utility District water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Bells Public Utility District; its 6 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Bells Public Utility District serve?
Bells Public Utility District serves approximately 2,610 people across 1 ZIP code in Tennessee.
Where does Bells Public Utility District get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Bells Public Utility District (TN): 6 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/tn0000045/
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title = {{Bells Public Utility District (TN): 6 EPA Violations}},
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url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/tn0000045/}
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What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Bells Public Utility District (EPA ID: TN0000045) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.