Yes, at low levels. 1 PFAS was detected, all below EPA's 2024 limits.
Also detected, no federal limit: PFBA.
Watts Bar Utility District is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Kingston, Tennessee, serving about 15,571 people, including Decatur, Evensville, Spring City, Kingston, Loudon, Niota. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFBA Perfluorobutanoic acid |
2 of 4 | 7.5 ppt | 3.3 ppt | none |
Not detected: 6:2 FTS, 4:2 FTS, 8:2 FTS, PFMPA, PFMBA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, PFEESA, NFDHA, PFPeS, PFHpS, PFPeA, HFPO-DA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, PFUnA, PFHxA, PFDoA, PFDA, PFOS, PFNA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, ADONA, PFTA, PFTrDA, NEtFOSAA, NMeFOSAA, PFOA.
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
37322 37332 37381 37763 37774 37826 37846 37874 37880
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Well & Tap. "PFAS in Watts Bar Utility District water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID TN0000872. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/tennessee/watts-bar-utility-district/
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID TN0000872). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.
