Is New Tazewell, TN Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
93.4/100
waterverge.com New Tazewell, TN — Water Quality Report
New Tazewell's drinking water received a grade of A (93.4 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,549 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 4.0 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 27 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about New Tazewell's water
New Tazewell ranks #27 out of 299 cities in Tennessee for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
New Tazewell 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, New Tazewell may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is New Tazewell, TN water safe to drink?
New Tazewell's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (93.4/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,549 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for New Tazewell
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New Tazewell's water quality assessment. Grade: A (93.4/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3217). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-459). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for New Tazewell's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
New Tazewell's water system has 27 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Carroll County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does New Tazewell's water come from?
New Tazewell's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,549 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What New Tazewell residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of New Tazewell
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near New Tazewell, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
GILES NEW TAZEWELL, TN37825 | — | — | 0.1 mi |
ENGLAND INC NEW TAZEWELL, TN37825 | — | — | 6.4 mi |
ROYAL STERILIZATION SYSTEMS NEW TAZEWELL, TN37825 | — | — | 1.7 mi |
ROYAL STERILIZATION SYSTEMS NEW TAZEWELL, TN37825 | — | — | 1.6 mi |
SUMIRIKO TENNESSEE - TAZEWELL TAZEWELL, TN37879 | — | — | 4.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtCarroll County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Carroll County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 4.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how New Tazewell compares by contaminant
Explore where New Tazewell ranks among all Tennessee cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where New Tazewell's water comes from
New Tazewell's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
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 1,549 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving New Tazewell
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTH CARROLL UTILITY DISTRICT | TN0000115 | 1,549 | GW |
How New Tazewell compares
Full Tennessee rankings →New Tazewell's score of 93.4/100 is above the average of 75/100 among major Tennessee cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Tennessee rankings →About New Tazewell, TN
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to New Tazewell's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Carroll
Frequently asked questions
Is New Tazewell, TN tap water safe to drink?
New Tazewell's water quality earned a grade of A (93.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #27 out of 299 cities tested in Tennessee.
What contaminants are in New Tazewell's water?
Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 27 violations are on record.
How is New Tazewell'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 New Tazewell?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Tazewell's water come from?
New Tazewell's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,549 residents.
What health violations has New Tazewell's water system had?
New Tazewell has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2001. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is New Tazewell's groundwater at risk of contamination?
New Tazewell 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 27 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 New Tazewell's water compare to other cities?
New Tazewell ranks #27 out of 299 cities in Tennessee (better than 91% of state cities) and #851 out of 15744 cities nationally (95th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does New Tazewell's small water system affect quality?
New Tazewell's system serves approximately 1,549 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 27 violations on record.