Johnson City's Water Quality: Is It Safe?

Johnson City, Tennessee's water supply is sourced from the Watauga River and Unicoi Springs. While the tap water in Johnson City is generally considered safe to drink, with no active health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) as of 2022, there are still concerns about the presence of pollutants. Third-party independent testing has found that the water supply exceeds health guidelines for certain contaminants, including Bromodichloromethane, Chloroform, Chromium (hexavalent), and Dichloroacetic acid. These contaminants can pose risks to human health, including increased cancer risk and potential harm during pregnancy. The Tennessee government has various divisions, such as the Division of Water Resources (DWR) and the Tennessee Section of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), that work to manage, protect, and enhance the quality of the state's water resources.

Johnson City's tap water is generally considered safe to drink

However, it is important to note that water quality can vary within the city, and certain contaminants may be present in the tap water. Third-party independent testing has found that Johnson City's water supply exceeds health guidelines for certain drinking water contaminants, such as Bromodichloromethane, Chloroform, Chromium (hexavalent), and other total trihalomethanes (TTHMs). These contaminants can form during the water treatment process when disinfectants like chlorine are used. While the levels of these contaminants may be within the acceptable range set by the EPA, it does not necessarily mean that the water is completely healthy.

The EPA is currently reviewing its regulations around pollutant levels in tap water and the health risks posed by unregulated pollutants. It is important for individuals to consider other factors such as lead piping in older homes and low levels of pollutants that may affect immunocompromised individuals. To ensure the safety of their drinking water, residents can consider having their water tested by a third-party laboratory or installing home water filters to remove specific chemicals.

Overall, while Johnson City's tap water is generally considered safe, residents should stay informed about their local water system and take appropriate measures to ensure the quality of their drinking water.

However, independent testing found that the water exceeded health guidelines for drinking water contaminants

Johnson City, Tennessee, generally considers its tap water safe to drink. However, independent testing found that the water exceeded health guidelines for drinking water contaminants.

The City of Johnson City relies on water from the Watauga River and Unicoi Springs. Each year, the department treats 5.6 billion gallons of potable water and processes over 5 billion gallons of wastewater. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has prepared a Reference Water Assessment Plan (SWAP) Report to assess the untreated water sources serving this water system. The SWAP Report determines the susceptibility of untreated water sources to potential toxins. Water sources were rated as moderately susceptible, moderately prone, or slightly prone, based on geologic points and human activities in the vicinity of the water supply.

Third-party independent testing found that the water utility exceeded health guidelines for drinking water contaminants. The contaminants found in Johnson City's water supply include Bromodichloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for Bromodichloromethane was based on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, which represents a level of drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. However, Bromodichloromethane and other disinfection byproducts can increase the risk of cancer and cause problems during pregnancy, as seen in animal studies.

Another contaminant of concern in Johnson City's water is Chromium (hexavalent), a carcinogen commonly found in American drinking water due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater. The EWG Health Guideline of 0.02 ppb for Chromium (hexavalent) was also defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a level that does not pose a significant health risk. However, Chromium (hexavalent) in drinking water has been linked to cancer in laboratory rats and mice, as seen in a 2008 study by the National Toxicology Program.

While Johnson City's water utility has received recognition for its commitment to operational excellence and environmental protection, these independent testing results highlight the presence of contaminants that exceed health guidelines. It is recommended that residents consider factors such as lead piping in homes and take proactive measures, such as using water filters, to ensure the quality and safety of their drinking water.

Contaminants include Bromodichloromethane, Chloroform, Chromium (hexavalent), and more

Johnson City, Tennessee's water supply comes from the Watauga River and Unicoi Springs. Third-party independent testing has revealed that the city's water supply exceeds health guidelines for drinking water contaminants. Contaminants include Bromodichloromethane, Chloroform, Chromium (hexavalent), and more.

Bromodichloromethane is one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) that are formed when disinfectants, such as chlorine, are used to treat tap water. It has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, kidney damage, and liver damage. Animal studies have shown that ingestion of large amounts of Bromodichloromethane can lead to injury to the liver and kidneys.

Chloroform is another contaminant found in the water supply. While it is commonly used as a starting material in various industrial manufacturing processes, it can also be formed during water treatment when chlorine is added to the water to kill bacteria.

Chromium (hexavalent) is a known carcinogen that frequently contaminates American drinking water. It may be present due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater. The movie "Erin Brockovich" brought attention to the issue of hexavalent chromium in drinking water, highlighting the story of a town in California that suffered significant health issues and economic decline due to water contamination.

In addition to these contaminants, there may be other unregulated or undetected pollutants in the water supply. It is always recommended to test your tap water with a reputable third-party laboratory to ensure its safety.

These contaminants increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy

Johnson City, Tennessee, sources its water from the Watauga River and Unicoi Springs. While the city treats and tests its water, third-party independent testing has found that Johnson City's water supply exceeds health guidelines for drinking water contaminants. These contaminants include Bromodichloromethane, Chloroform, Chromium (hexavalent), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Aluminum, Dibromochloromethane, and Barium.

Bromodichloromethane, a type of trihalomethane (THM), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat tap water. It has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, kidney and liver damage, and problems during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown that consuming large amounts of Bromodichloromethane can cause injury to the liver and kidneys.

Chromium (hexavalent), also known as chromium-6, is a carcinogen that commonly contaminates American drinking water. It can be present due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater. Studies have found that chromium-6 causes cancer in laboratory rats and mice, and long-term exposure to chromium in drinking water has been associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.

Other contaminants found in drinking water that have been linked to an increased risk of cancer include arsenic, nitrate, and other disinfection byproducts. Arsenic, for example, has been linked to bladder cancer, and long-term exposure can cause skin cancer and lung cancer. Nitrate contamination in drinking water is a growing problem in agricultural areas, and ingestion of nitrate can lead to the formation of N-nitroso compounds (NOC), which are potent animal carcinogens.

To protect themselves from these contaminants, residents of Johnson City, TN, can consider having their tap water tested by a third-party laboratory and installing water filters that can remove specific contaminants, such as arsenic. Prioritizing source water protection and reducing the level of contaminants in tap water are important steps to ensure safe drinking water for the community.

The EPA is reviewing if its regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates over 90 contaminants in drinking water. The EPA's National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) are legally enforceable standards and treatment techniques that apply to public water systems. These regulations are designed to protect public health by limiting the levels of contaminants in drinking water. The EPA sets a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG), which is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. The MCLG allows for a margin of safety and is a non-enforceable public health goal. The EPA also sets a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), which is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. The MCL is set as close to the MCLG as possible, taking into account the best available treatment technology and cost.

In addition to the MCLG and MCL, the EPA also establishes Treatment Techniques (TT) and Maximum Residual Disinfectant Levels (MRDL) to control the levels of contaminants in drinking water. The EPA's surface water treatment rules require systems using surface water or groundwater to meet specific criteria for avoiding filtration and controlling contaminants such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia. The EPA also sets water-testing schedules and methods that water systems must follow.

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) gives individual states the authority to set and enforce their own drinking water standards, as long as they are at least as stringent as the EPA's national standards. The EPA uses the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Program to collect data on contaminants suspected to be present in drinking water but lacking health-based standards under the SDWA. Every five years, the EPA reviews the list of contaminants based on the Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) and evaluates any new data, information, and technologies to determine if regulatory revisions are needed to maintain or improve public health protection.

The Tennessee Section of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has prepared a Reference Water Assessment Plan (SWAP) Report to assess the susceptibility of untreated water sources to potential toxins. The SWAP Report rates water sources as moderately susceptible, moderately prone, or slightly prone to potential toxins based on geologic factors and human activities in the vicinity of the water supply. Water and Sewer Services in Johnson City, Tennessee, treats 5.6 billion gallons of potable water annually and has received awards for its commitment to operational excellence and environmental protection. However, independent third-party testing has found that the city's water supply exceeds health guidelines for drinking water contaminants, including Bromodichloromethane and Chromium (hexavalent), which can pose risks to human health, including cancer, kidney, and liver damage.

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