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Community Water System · PWS TN0000471

Monterey Water Dept

Monterey, Tennessee 38574 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 5,072 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

5,072
People served
116
EPA violations
26
Health-based
No PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 116 drinking-water violations at Monterey Water Dept, 22% of them health-based - above the Tennessee per-system average.

116
Total EPA violations on record
22%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
5,072
People served by this system
0
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Monterey Water Dept

Monterey Water Dept is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 5,072 residents in Monterey, Tennessee (Putnam County) through 2,140 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 116 total violations for this system , of which 26 (22%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 77 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2021.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is TTHM, recorded in 20 violations (MCL, health-based). This system was sampled under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program and no PFAS compounds were detected above the minimum reporting level.

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%).

Monterey Water Dept's 116 violations sit above 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.

Population Served
5,072
Total Violations
116
Health-Based Violations
26
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
2,140
County
Putnam
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
24
Monitoring Violations
77
Treatment Tech Violations
2

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
TTHM MCL 20 2020
Coliform (TCR) MR 18 2009
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 5 2021
Coliform (TCR) MCL 4 2001
Chlorine MR 3 2009
Arsenic MR 3 1995
Fluoride MR 3 1995
Mercury MR 3 1995
Selenium MR 3 1995
Cadmium MR 3 1995
Barium MR 3 1995
Chromium MR 3 1995
Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 2 1999
CYANIDE MR 2 1995
Antimony, Total MR 2 1995
Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 2 1996
Thallium, Total MR 2 1995
Nitrate MR 2 1993
Nickel MR 2 1995
Beryllium, Total MR 2 1995
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 1 1989
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 1 1989
Vinyl chloride MR 1 1989
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 1 1989
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 1 1989
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 1 1989
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 1 1989
Ethylbenzene MR 1 1989
Tetrachloroethylene MR 1 1989
Toluene MR 1 1989

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 0 of 116 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFPeS 8/12/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 8/12/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 8/12/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 8/12/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 8/12/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 8/12/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 8/12/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 8/12/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 8/12/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 8/12/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 8/12/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 8/12/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 8/12/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 8/12/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 8/12/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 8/12/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 8/12/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 8/12/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 8/12/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 8/12/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 8/12/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 8/12/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 8/12/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 8/12/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 8/12/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 8/12/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 8/12/2024 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 8/12/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 8/12/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 5/20/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 5/20/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 5/20/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 5/20/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 5/20/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 5/20/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 5/20/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 5/20/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 5/20/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 5/20/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 5/20/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 5/20/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 5/20/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 5/20/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 5/20/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 5/20/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 5/20/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 5/20/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 5/20/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 5/20/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 5/20/2024 <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 Monterey Water Dept.

Federal Source of Truth

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 TN0000471 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Tennessee Drinking Water Authority

Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, Drinking Water is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Monterey Water Dept under EPA-delegated authority.

Open TN regulator portal

Source: 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
2021 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 5 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 7000
2020 TTHM MCL 20 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 2950
2009 Coliform (TCR) MR 18 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 3100
2009 Chlorine MR 3 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 0999
2001 Coliform (TCR) MCL 4 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 3100
1999 Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 2 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 0200
1996 Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 2 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 0200
1995 Arsenic MR 3 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 1005
1995 Fluoride MR 3 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 1025
1995 Mercury MR 3 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 1035
1995 Selenium MR 3 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 1045
1995 Cadmium MR 3 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 1015
1995 Barium MR 3 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 1010
1995 Chromium MR 3 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 1020
1995 CYANIDE MR 2 SDWIS / TN0000471 / 1024

How Monterey Water Dept Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Monterey Water Dept Tennessee avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 116 56.8 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 26 12.4 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection None 33.6% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 5,072 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 Monterey Water Dept water safe to drink?
Monterey Water Dept (PWS ID: TN0000471) has 116 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. No PFAS contamination was detected in UCMR5 testing. This system serves 5,072 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does Monterey Water Dept serve?
Monterey Water Dept serves 5,072 people in Monterey, Tennessee. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 2,140 service connections.
What type of violations does Monterey Water Dept have?
Monterey Water Dept has 116 total violations: 26 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 77 monitoring/reporting violations, and 2 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Monterey Water Dept water?
No. Monterey Water Dept was tested for PFAS under the EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program and no PFAS contamination was detected.
What water source does Monterey Water Dept use?
Monterey Water Dept uses Surface Water as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from?
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

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.