Some. At least one sample reached an EPA limit, but the average at every sampling point stayed below it.
Kingsport Water Dept is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Kingsport, Tennessee, serving about 107,739 people, including Gate City, Johnson City, Blountville, Chuckey, Church Hill, Fall Branch. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 12 times across 3 sampling points between Feb 2023 and Nov 2023.
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid |
1 of 12 | 5.9 ppt | 1.5 ppt | 4 ppt |
Not detected: PFHxA, PFUnA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, 9Cl-PF3ONS, ADONA, PFBA, 4:2 FTS, 8:2 FTS, PFMPA, PFPeA, PFEESA, PFDoA, PFMBA, PFHpS, 6:2 FTS, NFDHA, NMeFOSAA, PFTA, NEtFOSAA, PFPeS, PFDA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOA, PFBS, PFTrDA, HFPO-DA.
Lithium, tested in the same program: highest 76.6 ppb, detected in 3 of 12 samples. EPA's health-based screening level is 10 ppb.
In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.
Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.
Two routes work for PFAS. For drinking and cooking water only, a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 with a PFOA/PFOS reduction claim is the cheapest proven option. To treat every tap and shower, a whole-house carbon system with enough contact time works, but check that the maker has PFAS test data, not just a marketing claim. See the best filters for PFAS and how PFAS removal works.
All 277 tested systems in Tennessee
24251 37615 37617 37641 37642 37656 37659 37660 37663 37664 37665 37857
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Well & Tap. "PFAS in Kingsport Water Dept water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID TN0000349. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/tennessee/kingsport-water-dept/
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID TN0000349). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.
