A
97

Excellent Water Quality

South Pittsburg, TN 37380

Marion County · Population served: 7,304 · Data updated March 2026

Water Systems Serving This Area

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SOUTH PITTSBURG WATER SYSTEM
Surface water · Pop. 7,304
PWSID: TN0000651

Contaminants Detected

ContaminantDetected LevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
Lead
1.0
15 ppb 1 ppb Passed

PFAS / Forever Chemicals

2 detected All below limits
CompoundLevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
PFBA8.5 pptNo standard500 pptUnregulated
PFBS3.6 ppt2000 ppt100 pptBelow limit

Water Quality Summary

Understanding Your Water in South Pittsburg

Tap water quality in South Pittsburg, Tennessee (37380) receives an overall grade of A (Excellent) with a score of 97 out of 100, based on analysis of EPA compliance data, contaminant testing, and violation history. This is 16 points above the Tennessee state average of 81. Compared to the national average (75), this area performs significantly better. The area is served by South Pittsburg Water System, a surface water system providing water to approximately 7,304 people. PFAS testing detected 2 compounds, all currently below EPA limits. The area has a clean violation record over the past 5 years — a positive indicator of consistent water quality management.

Your Score 97/100 A
vs State 16 pts above Tennessee avg (81)
vs National 22 pts above national avg (75)

What a Grade A Means

A score of 97/100 means the water supply in South Pittsburg, TN meets or exceeds all EPA standards with minimal issues. Contaminant levels are well within safe limits, and the water system has maintained a strong compliance record. While no water supply is guaranteed perfect at the tap due to household plumbing, this is among the best-scoring areas in the country.

Surface water: sourced from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs

Health Information

What These Contaminants Mean for You

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Lead in Your Water

Lead is a toxic metal that can leach from aging pipes and plumbing fixtures.

Health Effects

Even low levels of lead exposure can cause developmental delays in children, kidney damage, and cardiovascular effects in adults. The EPA action level is 15 ppb, but health experts recommend no safe level of lead in drinking water.

Common Sources

Lead enters water primarily through corrosion of lead service lines, lead solder, and brass fixtures — especially in homes built before 1986.

What You Can Do

If lead is detected above 1 ppb, consider using a certified lead-removal filter (NSF/ANSI 53) for drinking and cooking water. Run cold water for 30 seconds before use if water has been sitting in pipes.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on EPA data, tap water in South Pittsburg, Tennessee receives a grade of A (Excellent) with a score of 97/100. This indicates the water meets federal standards and has relatively few concerns. However, individual homes may still have localized issues such as lead from old plumbing.

ZIP code 37380 is served by 1 water system using surface water sources, providing water to approximately 7,304 people. Surface water systems are more susceptible to contamination from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and weather events, but typically undergo more extensive treatment including filtration and disinfection.

Lead levels in South Pittsburg, Tennessee are 1.0 ppb, which is at or below the health guideline of 1 ppb. This is a positive result, though periodic testing is still recommended.

2 PFAS compounds were detected in water serving South Pittsburg, Tennessee, but all are currently below EPA limits. While levels are within regulatory standards, some health organizations recommend minimizing any PFAS exposure. Activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters can reduce PFAS levels.

Water systems serving South Pittsburg, Tennessee have zero violations in the last 5 years. This is a positive indicator of consistent regulatory compliance and water quality management.

Based on detected contaminants (PFAS), residents in South Pittsburg, Tennessee should consider: Reverse osmosis (RO) system — most effective for PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. Always look for filters with NSF/ANSI certification for the specific contaminants you want to remove.

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