Community Water System · PWS TN0000369
First U.d. of Knox County
Knoxville, Tennessee 37933 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 115,531 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.
- 115,531
- People served
- 45
- EPA violations
- 7
- Health-based
- 2 PFAS
- UCMR5 result
The verdict
EPA records 45 drinking-water violations at First U.d. of Knox County, 16% of them health-based - below the Tennessee per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds.
- 45
- Total EPA violations on record
- 16%
- Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
- 115,531
- People served by this system
- 2
- PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)
Water Quality Snapshot: First U.d. of Knox County
First U.d. of Knox County is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 115,531 residents in Knoxville, Tennessee (Knox County) through 48,138 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 45 total violations for this system , of which 7 (16%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 27 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2018.
The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, recorded in 7 violations (TT, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 2 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 6.4 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.
Across Tennessee, EPA tracks 762 public water systems serving 7,934,203 people, with 43,318 cumulative violations and 9,414 health-based violations on record. About 94% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 56.8 violations. Statewide, 93 of 277 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (33.6%).
First U.d. of Knox County's 45 violations sit below the Tennessee average.
All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.
2 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.
System Details
- System Type
- Community
- Owner Type
- Local
- Connections
- 48,138
- County
- Knox
- School/Daycare
- No
- MCL Violations
- 0
- Monitoring Violations
- 27
- Treatment Tech Violations
- 7
Violation History
Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.
| Contaminant | Category | Count | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | TT | 7 | 2008 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Other | 5 | 2018 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | MR | 4 | 2014 |
| Coliform (TCR) | MR | 3 | 1992 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Other | 3 | 2002 |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| Trichloroethylene | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| Vinyl chloride | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| CHLOROBENZENE | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| Ethylbenzene | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| Styrene | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| Toluene | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| 1,1,2-Trichloroethane | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| Carbon tetrachloride | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| 1,2-Dichloropropane | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| o-Dichlorobenzene | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| DICHLOROMETHANE | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| Benzene | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | MR | 1 | 1989 |
| p-Dichlorobenzene | MR | 1 | 1989 |
PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)
Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 4 of 116 samples detected PFAS.
| Contaminant | Date | Result | MRL | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFTrDA | 8/21/2023 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 8/21/2023 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 8/21/2023 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 8/21/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 5/10/2023 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 5/10/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 5/10/2023 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 5/10/2023 | 3.90 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFHpA | 5/10/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 5/10/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 5/10/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 5/10/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 5/10/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDA | 5/10/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 5/10/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxA | 5/10/2023 | 3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFTA | 5/10/2023 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| ADONA | 5/10/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 5/10/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 5/10/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBA | 5/10/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 6:2 FTS | 5/10/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 5/10/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 5/10/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMPA | 5/10/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 5/10/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 5/10/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 5/10/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 5/10/2023 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeS | 5/10/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 5/10/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 5/10/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 5/10/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 3/8/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 3/8/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 3/8/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 3/8/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 3/8/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 3/8/2023 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 3/8/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpA | 3/8/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 3/8/2023 | 5.40 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Detected |
| ADONA | 3/8/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 3/8/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDA | 3/8/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 3/8/2023 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 3/8/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 3/8/2023 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 3/8/2023 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 3/8/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
Verify This Water System
The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for First U.d. of Knox County.
EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:
View PWS ID TN0000369 on SDWISSource: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search
Tennessee Drinking Water Authority
Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, Drinking Water is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects First U.d. of Knox County under EPA-delegated authority.
Open TN regulator portalSource: Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, Drinking Water
Violation Timeline
Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.
| Year (latest) | Contaminant | Category | Count | EPA Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Other | 5 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 0300 |
| 2014 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | MR | 4 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 0200 |
| 2008 | Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | TT | 7 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 0300 |
| 2002 | Consumer Confidence Rule | Other | 3 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 7000 |
| 1992 | Coliform (TCR) | MR | 3 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 3100 |
| 1989 | 1,2-Dichloroethane | MR | 1 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 2980 |
| 1989 | 1,1-Dichloroethylene | MR | 1 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 2977 |
| 1989 | Trichloroethylene | MR | 1 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 2984 |
| 1989 | Vinyl chloride | MR | 1 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 2976 |
| 1989 | CHLOROBENZENE | MR | 1 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 2989 |
| 1989 | cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | MR | 1 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 2380 |
| 1989 | Ethylbenzene | MR | 1 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 2992 |
| 1989 | Styrene | MR | 1 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 2996 |
| 1989 | Tetrachloroethylene | MR | 1 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 2987 |
| 1989 | Toluene | MR | 1 | SDWIS / TN0000369 / 2991 |
How First U.d. of Knox County Compares
Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.
| Metric | First U.d. of Knox County | Tennessee avg | Federal benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total violations | 45 | 56.8 | SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach |
| Health-based violations | 7 | 12.4 | Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL |
| PFAS detection | 2 compounds | 33.6% | EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt |
| Population served | 115,531 | 10,412 | Sizing context for compliance burden |
Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 762 regulated public water systems in Tennessee.
Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
| Contaminant | Federal MCL / Action Level | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) | Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique |
| Arsenic | 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) | Health-based MCL since 2006 |
| Total Coliform | Treatment technique (RTCR) | Indicator organism, monitoring trigger |
| PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) | 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) | Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026) |
| Nitrate (as N) | 10 mg/L | Acute health risk for infants |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is First U.d. of Knox County water safe to drink? ▼
How many people does First U.d. of Knox County serve? ▼
What type of violations does First U.d. of Knox County have? ▼
Has PFAS been detected in First U.d. of Knox County water? ▼
What water source does First U.d. of Knox County use? ▼
Where does this data come from? ▼
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.