01The verdict: is Big Sandy water safe?
Big Sandy's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,920 residents using groundwater (wells).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 1.80 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 1.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓Check back after the next refresh
EPA data updates on a rolling basis; we fold in new samples and violations every month.
Get alerts ↓Big Sandy's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,920 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 19 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
Big Sandy ranks #144 out of 299 cities in Tennessee for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Big Sandy relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff. As a small community water system, Big Sandy may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Big Sandy's water
Every contaminant flagged in Big Sandy, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.80 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Tennessee
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Tennessee
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Big Sandy's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 19 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Big Sandy.
▼ Down 2 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 1 ppb (2025) — 7% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
1.8mg/L(2004)
One sampling round on record — 138% of the 1.3mg/L EPA action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Big Sandy's water comes from
Big Sandy's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
1,920 people
Residents served across Big Sandy's service area.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals. Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,920 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIG SANDY WATER DEPARTMENT | TN0000051 | 1,170 | Groundwater |
| HARBOR UTILITY DISTRICT | TN0000055 | 750 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on Big Sandy's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
1 federal disaster declaration on record for Benton County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Benton County is in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Big Sandy compares
Scores for nearby Tennessee cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Tennessee average (73/100)
Big Sandy scores 86.4/100 — above the Tennessee average of 73/100. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities. Full Tennessee rankings →
69 / 100CMemphis, TN
66.2 / 100CKnoxville, TN
55 / 100BMurfreesboro, TN
80.6 / 100BClarksville, TN
75.5 / 100CChattanooga, TN
65.5 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Big Sandy's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Big Sandy alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Big Sandy, TN tap water safe to drink?
Big Sandy's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #144 out of 299 cities tested in Tennessee.
What contaminants are in Big Sandy's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 19 violations are on record.
How is Big Sandy's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Big Sandy?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Big Sandy's water come from?
Big Sandy's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,920 residents.
Is Big Sandy's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Big Sandy uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 19 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Big Sandy's water compare to other cities?
Big Sandy ranks #144 out of 299 cities in Tennessee (better than 52% of state cities) and #4680 out of 15382 cities nationally (70th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.