F0/100
BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 2,763 people · Tennessee
Water Source
Groundwater Under Influence of Surface Water
County
—
System ID
TN0000061
Violations
91
Contaminant Test Results
1 contaminant above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Lead (90th percentile) | 0.001 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | Above Goal |
EPA Violation History
6
Violations (last 5yr)
1
Unresolved
0
Health-Related
TIER 3Resolved
Surface water treatment technique failure
When: July 1, 2023 – July 1, 2024Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Unresolved
Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure
When: July 23, 2022Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Resolved
Surface water treatment technique failure
When: July 1, 2022 – July 26, 2022Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved
Surface water treatment technique failure
When: July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2024Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved
Monitoring / Reporting Violation
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: January 1, 2022 – March 22, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved
Surface water treatment technique failure
When: July 1, 2021 – September 27, 2023Enforcement: Formal — state order issued
Understanding violation severity
Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly
Frequently Asked Questions About BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT
Is BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT water safe to drink?
BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT water receives a grade of F (0/100), which is considered failing. 0 contaminant(s) exceed EPA legal limits and 91 violation(s) are on record. Customers may want to consider using a water filter.
What contaminants has BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT detected?
4 contaminants were tested in BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT's water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile). No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 1 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT have any EPA violations?
Yes, BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT has 91 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2023. Violation types include Other, MR, MON. 4 are health-based violations.
How many people does BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT serve?
BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT serves approximately 2,763 people, Tennessee. The system provides water to 1 community: Bluff City.
What type of water does BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT provide?
BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT sources its water from groundwater under influence of surface water. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and typically requires more extensive treatment. The utility's system ID is TN0000061.
How does BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT compare to other utilities in Tennessee?
BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT scores 0/100 with a grade of F (failing). This score suggests significant water quality concerns relative to other utilities. Visit our Tennessee state page for a full comparison of water systems.