Kingsport, TN Water Quality Report
Is Kingsport tap water safe? See PFAS and lead contamination levels for Kingsport, Tennessee. Compare to EPA limits and get filter recommendations.
Quick Answers
Is Kingsport tap water safe to drink? Kingsport water has high PFAS contamination. EPA UCMR5 testing detected a peak level of 76.6 ppt, significantly above the EPA's 4 ppt enforceable limit. A reverse osmosis or certified PFAS filter is strongly recommended.
What contaminants are in Kingsport water? Top PFAS compounds detected in Kingsport water: lithium (76.6 ppt), PFOS (0.01 ppt). See the full table for all monitored contaminants and comparison to EPA limits.
What filter should I use in Kingsport? Reverse osmosis removes 90%+ of PFAS, lead, and arsenic. NSF-53 certified pitcher and faucet filters (ZeroWater, Clearly Filtered, LifeStraw) work for smaller households. Skip standard Brita filters for PFAS removal.
Kingsport Water Quality Summary
EPA testing has detected PFAS "forever chemicals" in Kingsport drinking water. Recent monitoring found a peak level of 76.6 ppt across 2 water systems, representing an average of 29.1 ppt across 2 detected compounds.
Contamination Level: HIGH – High contamination – multiple PFAS compounds detected at levels significantly above EPA safety thresholds.
Top Detected Compounds
- lithium: 76.6 ppt (exceeds EPA 4 ppt limit for PFOA/PFOS)
- PFOS: 0.01 ppt
Lead in Kingsport Water
EPA Lead and Copper Rule testing has recorded 18 lead samples for Kingsport water systems, with a 90th-percentile high of 0.0035 mg/L (within the EPA 0.015 mg/L action level). There is no safe level of lead for children; if your home was built before 1986, a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead-removal filter is recommended.
EPA Violations in Kingsport
Kingsport public water systems have 1 health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violation on record, including Selenium. Health-based violations mean a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
About the Data
These figures come from the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR5) testing program, 2023-2025. UCMR5 is the most comprehensive national drinking water survey in US history, covering 66,000+ public water systems. Population of Kingsport: approximately 54,656.
ZIP Codes Served
What Kingsport Residents Should Do
- Enter your exact ZIP code at knowyourexposure.com for address-level data
- Install an NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis filter (removes 94-99% of PFAS)
- If you're in a high-exposure group (pregnant, young children), consider a PFAS home test kit
- Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) annually