Yes, at low levels. 1 PFAS was detected, all below EPA's 2024 limits.
Also detected, no federal limit: PFBS.
Knoxville Utilities Board-kub is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Knoxville, Tennessee, serving about 254,671 people, including Kodak, New Market, Strawberry Plains, Knoxville. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 4 times across 1 sampling point between Jan 2024 and Oct 2024.
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFBS Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid |
1 of 4 | 3.7 ppt | 0.9 ppt | none |
Not detected: PFBA, PFEESA, PFMBA, PFPeA, PFMPA, 8:2 FTS, PFNA, 6:2 FTS, PFHpS, HFPO-DA, ADONA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, PFUnA, 4:2 FTS, PFTA, PFOS, PFOA, NMeFOSAA, PFHxS, NEtFOSAA, NFDHA, PFTrDA, PFPeS, PFDA, PFDoA, PFHpA, PFHxA.
Lithium, tested in the same program: not detected.
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.
Levels here are under EPA's limits, so no treatment is required. If you want them lower anyway, a certified reverse osmosis system under the sink handles drinking water, and a whole-house carbon filter also takes out the chlorine or chloramine your utility adds.
All 277 tested systems in Tennessee
37764 37820 37871 37902 37909 37912 37914 37915 37916 37917 37918 37919 37920 37921 37922 37923 37924 37931
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Well & Tap. "PFAS in Knoxville Utilities Board-kub water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID TN0000366. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/tennessee/knoxville-utilities-board-kub/
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID TN0000366). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.
