What to know about tap water in the area

Tap water in Northeast Tennessee meets federal drinking water standards. Some organizations don't think those standards are high enough.Northeast Tennessee's drinking water abides by federal standards, according to data gathered by the Environmental Working Group up to 2024. That's an advocacy group that specializes in research on toxic chemicals and water pollution. They used data from the EPA's enforcement and compliance database. But the EWG has its own standards for what levels of contamination are safe, which the region's drinking water largely doesn't meet. Those standards are higher than the ones outlined by the EPA. Many of the contaminants EWG identifies in local drinking water are byproducts of disinfectants used to treat the drinking water itself. EWG considers those byproducts contaminants because they could increase risk of certain cancers. Many of these are not regulated by the EPA, according to EWG. Other contaminants could be naturally occurring from ground water or caused by industrial pollution, agricultural runoff or discharges from wastewater plants and septic tanks. It wouldn't be the first time scientists and environmental groups have suggested that EPA drinking water standards are outdated."The EPA is very slow in updating drinking water standards," Laurel Schaider, a research scientist at the Silent Spring Institute, told Grist. The EPA says it uses three criteria to regulate certain contaminants, including if it would have an adverse effect on someone's health, if there's a high chance it could be in a system at a level high enough for concern, and if regulation could reduce risk for people who depend on public water systems. Kingsport Water Department and Johnson City water quality reports are all available online. The Partnership for Safe Water program granted the Kingsport Water Department an award for its efforts to maintain water at a standard higher than what federal regulations require. Last year, the EPA announced it would require lead pipes to be identified and replaced in drinking water systems across the country within the next 10 years.The state of Tennessee is also offering $246 million in loans and grants to subsidize those replacements. If you want to do something of your own for your tap water, even if you rely on a public water system, at-home filtering is an option. You can test your tap water with a water test kit before choosing a filtration system. Different water filtering systems perform different functions. One of the main things you should consider, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is if a system filters out viruses and bacteria.Some kinds of water filtration systems include: Carbon FiltersThese filters trap and remove contaminants as water flows through them. Their effectiveness varies on the type of carbon filter you use, and if it's in granulated or block form. They usually improve the taste and smell of your water, but don't necessarily ensure germs or contaminants are completely filtered out, according to the CDC.These are typically water pitchers and refrigerator filters. Reverse OsmosisThis filtration process puts tap water under enough pressure that pushes it through a membrane that will only allow particles the size of water molecules through it. Reverse osmosis systems that are installed in a home usually put water through a carbon filter, then reverse osmosis. While they can be effective at removing contaminants, these systems may also remove minerals that are beneficial to health in the process. DistillationDistillation turns water from its liquid form, to steam, and condenses it back into a liquid again. It is not the same as boiling water. Distilling water will remove bacteria and viruses, but certain chemicals that can contaminate water have a higher boiling point. Other minerals that are good for health are removed during this process as well. UV filtersUV filters use ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria. It does not require heat or other chemicals. Some filtration systems are more arduous to implement or install than others. You should decide what you need after testing your water.