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Is Clarksville Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, July 19, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Clarksville?

Yes, Clarksville's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Clarksville has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Clarksville's water utility, Clarksville Water Department, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the Clarksville Water Department water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Clarksville Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Clarksville tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Clarksville's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Clarksville Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Clarksville Water Department for Clarksville in Tennessee. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

Is there Lead in Clarksville Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Clarksville water system, Clarksville Water Department, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0005 mg/L of lead in Clarksville water. This is 3.3% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Clarksville contained more lead.

While Clarksville water testing may have found 0.0005 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Clarksville Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Fort Campbell - near Clarksville with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Clarksville has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Clarksville Water - Frequently Asked Questions

IS MY DRINKING WATER SAFE?
Absolutely! The City of Clarksville Water Treatment Plant is proud to report that your drinking water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The water is tested and checked continuously each day to make sure it is safe. Thousands of tests are performed each month on the water leaving the treatment plant, as well as the water traveling through the distribution system to your homes, businesses, and industries. As you will note from the chart in this brochure our system did not violate any EPA or state regulations for the monitoring period of January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Although monitoring detected the presence of contaminants in small quantities, they tested well below the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) established by the EPA and regulated by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. Your water, which is surface water, comes from the Cumberland River. We ask that all customers help us protect your drinking water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life and our children’s future. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, or wildlife. Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or may result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF MY WATER?
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. Your water, which is surface water, comes from the Cumberland River. We ask that all customers help us protect your drinking water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life and our children’s future. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, or wildlife. Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or may result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
IS OUR WATER SYSTEM MEETING OTHER RULES THAT GOVERN OUR OPERATIONS?
TDEC and EPA require us to test and submit our water quality analytical reports on a consistent basis to ensure its safety. We adhere to all applicable rules, regulations and guidelines in the water industry. We want you to know we take great pride in our treatment facility and the quality of water produced from the water treatment facility through the distribution system to your water meter. OTHER INFORMATION Occasionally, your water may exhibit slight discoloration or appear cloudy. These aesthetic issues may be due to system maintenance or upgrades. If you have concerns about water quality, please call us at the water treatment facility at (931) 553-2440. Our staff at Clarksville Gas & Water works around the clock to provide the highest quality water to every tap. Immunocompromised people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population; persons with cancer, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, some elderly and infants or people with other immune system disorders. If you or someone in your home is on dialysis, we recommend you contact us at (931) 553-2489 so we can notify you in the event of a water system interruption in your area. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.
DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS?
Immunocompromised people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population; persons with cancer, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, some elderly and infants or people with other immune system disorders. If you or someone in your home is on dialysis, we recommend you contact us at (931) 553-2489 so we can notify you in the event of a water system interruption in your area. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
Our city council meets on the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers at 108 Public Square. For more information about your drinking water, please call Phillip Whittinghill, Water Plant Superintendent at (931) 553-2440. Este informe contiene información importante acerca de su agua potable. Haga que alguien lo traduzca para usted, o hable con alguien que lo entienda.
WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THERMAL EXPANSION?
Learn some of the signs of thermal expansion from the list below and call a plumbing professional if you notice any of the signs. Some signs of thermal expansion: More details may be viewed on the Clarksville Gas & Water website, www.clarksvillegw.com.
HOW DO I CONTACT CLARKSVILLE CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Clarksville water provider, Clarksville Water Department, please use the information below.
By Mail: 2215 MADISON STREET
CLARKSVILLE, TN, 37041
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR CLARKSVILLE WATER DEPARTMENT
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Clarksville Water Department account to pay their Clarksville water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Clarksville Water Department bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Clarksville water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Clarksville water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP CLARKSVILLE WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Clarksville means you will often need to put the water in your name with Clarksville Water Department. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Clarksville means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Clarksville Water Department. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

Is Clarksville Tap Water Safe to Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.25 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Clarksville tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 25% Low
  • Water Pollution 44% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 75% High
  • Water Quality 100% Very High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Clarksville, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Clarksville Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Clarksville's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

City of Clarksville

Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

For Monitoring Period January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020

IS MY DRINKING WATER SAFE?

Absolutely! The City of Clarksville Water Treatment Plant is proud to report that your drinking water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The water is tested and checked continuously each day to make sure it is safe. Thousands of tests are performed each month on the water leaving the treatment plant, as well as the water traveling through the distribution system to your homes, businesses, and industries.

As you will note from the chart in this brochure our system did not violate any EPA or state regulations for the monitoring period of January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Although monitoring detected the presence of contaminants in small quantities, they tested well below the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) established by the EPA and regulated by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).

WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF MY WATER?

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. Your water, which is surface water, comes from the Cumberland River. We ask that all customers help us protect your drinking water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life and our children’s future.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include: Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, or wildlife. Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or may result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

Organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production and may also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.

Radioactive Contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or may be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

An explanation of Tennessee’s Source Water Assessment Program, the Source Water Assessment summaries, susceptibility scorings and the overall TDEC report to EPA can be viewed online at the following web address, https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr- water-resources/water-quality/source-water- assessment.html or you may contact the Clarksville Water Treatment Plant to obtain copies of specific assessments.

Our goal is to protect our water from contaminants and we are working with the state to determine the vulnerability of our water source to potential contamination. TDEC has prepared a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for the untreated water sources serving our water system. The SWAP Report assesses the susceptibility of untreated water sources to potential contamination. To ensure safe drinking water, all public water systems treat and routinely test their water. Water sources have been rated as reasonably susceptible (high), moderately susceptible (moderate) or slightly susceptible (low) based on geologic factors and human activities in the vicinity of the water source. The Clarksville Water Treatment Plant source is rated as reasonably susceptible to potential contamination.

WHY ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN MY WATER?

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA and TDEC prescribe regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about the contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

FACTS ABOUT LEAD IN DRINKING WATER

Elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components

associated with service lines and home plumbing. Clarksville Gas and Water is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in customers plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours in your plumbing, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, testing methods and steps you can take to minimize exposure are available by calling the Clarksville Water Plant, (931) 553- 2440, the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 800-426-4791, or visit the EPA website http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

In June 2018 Clarksville Water System (CWS) conducted EPA mandated lead and copper testing. All test results were below the action level for lead and copper. See these test results in the chart on the following page.

IS OUR WATER SYSTEM MEETING OTHER RULES THAT GOVERN OUR OPERATIONS?

TDEC and EPA require us to test and submit our water quality analytical reports on a consistent basis to ensure its safety. We adhere to all applicable rules, regulations and guidelines in the water industry. We want you to know we take great pride in our treatment facility and the quality of water produced from the water treatment facility through the distribution system to your water meter.

OTHER INFORMATION

Occasionally, your water may exhibit slight discoloration or appear cloudy. These aesthetic issues may be due to system maintenance or upgrades. If you have concerns about water quality, please call us at the water treatment facility at (931) 553-2440. Our staff at Clarksville Gas & Water works around the clock to provide the highest quality water to every tap.

DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS?

Immunocompromised people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population; persons with cancer, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, some elderly and infants or people with other immune system disorders. If you or someone in your home is on dialysis, we recommend you contact us at (931) 553-2489 so we can notify you in the event of a water system interruption in your area. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AND GIARDIA

Cryptosporidium and giardia are protozoan parasites found in surface water throughout the U.S. Although cryptosporidium and giardia can be removed by filtration, the most commonly used gravity filtration methods cannot guarantee 100 percent removal.

The Clarksville Water Treatment Plant utilizes microfiltration hollow fiber membranes with a nominal pore size of 0.1 micron. Microfiltration is a direct barrier and effectively filters particles in the cryptosporidium and giardia size range of 3 to 15 microns.

For more information about cryptosporidium and

giardia, visit our website at, https://www.cityofclarksville.com/1052/Facts-About- Cryptosporidium-and-Giardia.

ABOUT FIRE HYDRANT FLUSHING

Fire hydrant flushing is a routine maintenance process where hydrants are turned on to allow water to flow for up to several hours. Flushing is necessary to remove sediment and iron compounds from water mains and to circulate the water to help prevent stagnant water problems from developing. Throughout the year, you may notice water running along the street where water department personnel are flushing hydrants. Hydrants are often left unattended, but don’t be alarmed; personnel will return to turn them off once the flushing process is finished.

You may view a list of scheduled hydrant flushing and testing on the Clarksville Gas & Water website, www.clarksvillegw.com. If you notice a leaking hydrant not on the schedule it may in fact need repair. Please report it to our customer service department at (931) 645-7400.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

Our city council meets on the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers at 108 Public Square. For more information about your drinking water, please call Phillip Whittinghill, Water Plant Superintendent at (931) 553-2440.

Este informe contiene información importante acerca de su agua potable. Haga que alguien lo traduzca para usted, o hable con alguien que lo entienda.

UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS MONITORING RULE (UCMR4) RESULTS

(Data presented in this table is from testing done for UCMR4 between August 2018 and November 2019)

Contaminant

Average

Range of

Year Sampled

Unit of

Detected

Detections

Measurement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manganese

5.2

<MRL – 5.2

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Germanium

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Chlorpyrifos

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Total Permethrin

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Alph-Hexachlorocyclohexane

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Dimethipin

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Oxyfluorfen

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Profenofos

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Tebuconazole

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Tribufos

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Ethoprop

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Butylated Hydroxyanisole

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

O-Toluidine

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Quinoline

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

1-Butanol

8.22

<MRL – 8.22

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

2-Methoxyethanol

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

2-Propen-1-ol

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

HAA5

29

15.0-43.0

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

HAA6Br

5.75

2.6-8.9

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

HAA9

33.6

17.6-49.6

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Cylindrospermopsin

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Anatoxin-A

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

Microcystin

 

<MRL

2018-2019

ppb

*<MRL=Below Minimum Reporting Level

Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring is to assist EPA in determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted. For additional information call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

2020 WATER QUALITY DATA

DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

MCL: Maximum Contaminant Levels, or highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, or the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety.

MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfection Level means a level of a disinfectant added for water treatment that may not be exceeded at the consumer’s tap without an unacceptable possibility of adverse health effects.

MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfection Level Goal, or the level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the

REGULATED CONTAMINANTS MONITORING RESULTS

benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

LRAA: Locational Running Annual Average is the locational average of four consecutive quarters. Used in determining compliance for the TTHM and HAA5.

Discretionary language regarding the use of averages to report levels of some contaminants.

AL - Action Level, or the concentration of a contaminant which, when exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

Non-Detects (ND) - laboratory analysis indicates that the contaminant is not present.

Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/l) – explained as a relation to time and money as one part per million

corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.

Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter - explained as a relation to time and money as one part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) - nephelometric turbidity unit is a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person.

  1. – Treatment Technique or a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
    BDL – Below Detection Limit

RTCR – Revised Total Coliform Rule. This rule went into effect on April 1, 2016 and replaces the MCL for total coliform with a Treatment Technique Trigger for a system assessment.

(Most of the data presented in this table is from testing done between January and December of 2020, except in the case of substances for which annual testing is not required.)

 

Contaminant

 

 

Violation

 

 

Level

 

 

Range of

 

 

Year

 

 

Unit

 

 

MCLG

 

 

MCL

 

 

Likely Source of Contamination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Y/N

 

 

Detected

 

 

Detections

 

 

Sampled

 

 

Measurement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Coliform Bacteria (RTCR)

 

N

0

 

 

NA

2020

 

 

Presence/Absence

0

 

 

TT Trigger

 

Naturally present in the environment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E. coli Bacteria

 

N

0

 

 

NA

2020

 

 

Presence/Absence

0

 

 

See footnote *****

 

Human or animal wastes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A routine sample and repeat

 

 

 

 

Fecal Coliform and E.coli

 

N

0

 

 

NA

2020

 

 

NA

0

 

 

sample are total coliform

 

Human and animal fecal waste

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

positive, and one is also fecal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

coliform or E.coli positive

 

 

 

 

* Turbidity

 

N

0.15

 

0.01 - 0.15

 

2020

 

 

NTU

 

NA

 

TT 95%<0.30

 

Soil runoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.19 ppm

0.027-0.236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corrosion of household plumbing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0 of 50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper

 

N

 

90th

 

2018

 

 

ppm

1.3

 

 

AL=1.3

 

systems; erosion of natural deposits;

 

 

 

 

Samples

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

percentile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

leaching from wood preservatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above AL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoride

 

N

0.50

 

0.44 - 0.61

 

2020

 

 

ppm

4.0

 

4.0

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits, water additive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

which promotes strong teeth, discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

from fertilizer and aluminum factories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ND

 

BDL-6.89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corrosion of household plumbing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0 of 50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead

 

N

 

90th

 

2018

 

 

ppb

0

 

 

AL=15

 

 

 

 

 

Samples

 

 

 

 

 

systems; erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

percentile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above AL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium

 

N

5.62

 

 

NA

2020

 

 

ppm

 

NA

 

NA

 

Erosion of natural deposits; used in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

water treatment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrate

 

N

0.419

 

 

NA

2020

 

 

ppm

10

 

10

 

 

Fertilizer runoff, leaching from septic tanks,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sewage, erosion of natural deposits

 

** TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes)

 

N

38***

 

12-59

 

2020

 

 

ppb

0

 

80

 

 

By-product of drinking water chlorination

 

HAA5 (Total Haloacetic Acids)

 

N

34***

 

9.0-47

 

2020

 

 

ppb

0

 

60

 

 

By-product of drinking water chlorination

 

**** TOC (Total Organic Carbon)

 

N

****

 

 

NA

2020

 

 

NA

 

NA

 

TT

 

Naturally present in the environment

 

Chlorine

 

N

1.9

 

0.9-2.4

 

2020

 

 

ppm

 

MRDLG 4.0

 

MRDL=4.0

 

Chlorination

  • We met the treatment technique for turbidity with 100% of the monthly samples below the turbidity limit of 0.30 NTU. Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor turbidity because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system.
  • Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
  • Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA) during 2020 for TTHM and HAA5.
  • We met the treatment technique requirement for Total Organic Carbon in 2020.
  • E. coli: A system is in compliance with the MCL for E. coli for samples unless any of the conditions identified in parts 1 through 4 occur.
  1. The system has an E. coli-positive repeat sample following a total coliform positive routine sample.
  2. The system has a total coliform positive repeat sample following an E. coli-positive routine sample.
  3. The system fails to take all required repeat samples following an E. coli-positive routine sample.
  4. The system fails to test for E. coli when any repeat sample tests positive for total coliform.

THINK BEFORE YOU FLUSH!

Flushing unused or expired medicines can be harmful to your drinking water. Properly disposing of unused or expired medication helps protect you and the environment. Keep medications out of Tennessee's waterways by disposing in one of our permanent pharmaceutical take back bins.

There are nearly 340 take back bins located across the state in all 95 counties, to find a convenient location please visit: http://tdeconline.tn.gov/rxtakeback/

THERMAL EXPANSION – WHAT IS IT?

Thermal expansion is an increase in water pressure due to heated water having nowhere to go in a closed system.

For example, when hot water from a water heater is used it’s replaced with cold water. As the cold water is heated it expands and if the system is a closed system there will be little or no space for this expansion. The result is a potential increase in water pressure that may damage water heaters, plumbing systems and fixtures.

What can be done about thermal expansion?

Learn some of the signs of thermal expansion from the list below and call a plumbing professional if you notice any of the signs.

Some signs of thermal expansion:

  • Relief valve on a water heater drips during the recovery cycle
  • Sudden surge of water when a faucet is first turned on, then water pressure drops
  • Premature failure of water heaters, plumbing and fixtures.
  • Hot water in the cold water lines

More details may be viewed on the Clarksville Gas & Water website, www.clarksvillegw.com.

Clarksville Gas and Water Department

Water Treatment Plant

Clarksville, TN 37040

Ph. 931.553.2440

www.clarksvillegw.com

Mayor

The Honorable Joe Pitts

General Manager

Mark Riggins

Water Operations Manager

Chris Lambert

Water Treatment Plant Superintendent

Phillip Whittinghill

Water Treatment Plant Assistant Superintendent

Randall Gillum

IMPORTANT RESOURCES

EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline

800-426-4791

Tennessee Source Water Assessment Program

https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr-

water-resources/water-quality/source-water-

assessment.html

Tennessee Unwanted Pharmaceuticals

Take Back Program

http://tdeconline.tn.gov/rxtakeback/

City of Clarksville

Annual Drinking Water

Quality Report

Monitoring Period

January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020

Clarksville Gas and Water Department 2215 Madison Street · Clarksville, TN 37043

Contaminants


Clarksville Water Department

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 206500
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Surface water
  • Total: 12

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Dibromochloromethane
  • Nitrate
  • Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Chlorate
  • Chromium (total)
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Strontium
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Clarksville Tennessee Tap Water

There have been many questions about the quality of the water in Clarksville, Tennessee. Is it clean enough to drink? Is it safe for camping or sports events? Has it been tested, and is it free of any contamination? Many people wonder about the connection between the contamination of Clarksville’s water supply and the sports team called the Clarksville Griffins since they’ve discovered that their water supply had been contaminated with high lead levels.

The answer to this question, surprisingly, was found by an environmental group. Their investigation concluded that the high lead content was caused by an industrial manufacturing plant near the city. The tests also determined that the presence of nitrates and nitrites in the water played a role in the water contamination, but not in a significant way. These two factors, combined with the high level of lead, make it unsafe for human consumption. This conclusion was announced just days before the start of the basketball team’s season, which means this is an issue that has probably been overlooked.

It doesn’t seem that the Clarksville Tennessee tap water supply will affect the performance of the teams on the court, as the tests showed that there were no contaminants found. However, the fans and the athletes are concerned, especially when using water from pools and other sports facilities. Some of them might bring their children to play games at the courts, and it’s hard to keep them away from the chemicals found in the water. Also, since bottled water is so popular nowadays, it can be hard to enforce rules about using clean water. It seems, therefore, that this problem may be challenging to solve, especially since the solution could be straightforward.

Clarksville Tennessee Drinking Water Quality

One of the major concerns of people living in and around Clarksville, Tennessee, is their drinking water quality. Some people believe that there is no such thing as drinking water quality or that it doesn’t matter if your water is of poor quality because you don’t drink the same water that others do. However, this is far from the truth. Suppose your water comes from a municipal treatment plant. In that case, you are taking in a considerable amount of toxins, such as chlorine and even lead, which can have devastating effects on your health. You may think that you are getting a good quality of water. Still, in reality, you could be putting yourself at risk for many serious diseases, including cancer.

Even though it may take a long time to get your water clean enough to drink, there are a couple of options available that can help you get the water you need now and in the future. First of all, if you want to take advantage of the available quality, you may want to consider filtering your water yourself. This is pretty easy and affordable, so there’s no reason to. Several great water filters can provide you with excellent results at a fraction of the cost of buying bottled water. Plus, you can ensure that you are getting only pure water with every single drop when you filter your water, providing a completely safe experience.

On top of filtering your water, you also want to make sure that you are protecting your home in any way possible. The best way to do this is to install a home water purification system of your own. These systems typically require very little maintenance, and they will give you complete peace of mind. Not only will you be protected against harmful contaminants, but you can also rest easy knowing that your family is getting only clean healthy water. With so many contaminants floating around and no protective shield in place to keep them out, the importance of home water quality cannot be stressed enough.

Water in Clarksville, Tennessee

The residents of Clarksville are fortunate to have a healthy water supply for drinking, bathing, and cooking. The water supply is provided by the city water utility company called EPB Clarksville Power Plant, which converts it into a form that can be used for human consumption. Water from this purified water is then distributed to many homes in the metropolitan area.

Although you can enjoy water from this water supply, you should still make sure that your tap water has no chlorine because this can cause damage to your health. You should also do your best to keep the water from fountains or rain making them run dry. It is essential to use water filters to remove bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, prescription drugs, and odor. A water softener is also helpful so that you can maintain a healthy water supply for your household. You will be surprised at the difference that these appliances can make in how water tastes and feels.

Several water treatment companies in the area can provide you with water that you can enjoy. You will not have to worry about harmful toxins that can be present in the water. These purification systems work to filter out all of the toxic materials and leave them in healthy water that you can use in your home. If you are looking for clean, healthy water in your home, consider having a water treatment system installed.

Clarksville Tennessee Water Treatment

Suppose you have lived in the Clarksville area for any amount of time. In that case, you know that the quality of your drinking water can be essential. Unfortunately, you may not be aware of all of the things that the water treatment facilities in this area have to keep your water clean and safe for consumption. Some people are concerned that they are paying a little bit more for their water each month than they had been. While it may be an annoyance to some people, it is nothing compared to the risks present when you use unfiltered water. One of the biggest threats to your health can come from the fecal coliform bacteria present in the water.

When one has this bacteria in their body, it can cause stomach problems, headaches, diarrhea, cramps, and vomiting. To avoid this from happening to you, it is recommended that you filter the water that comes out of your faucet or showerhead at least once a week. Also, you should install a whole house filter at your shower head to get rid of the bacteria that can be found in the shower. Filters are available for all appliances in your home, including your water heater, dishwasher, and even the washing machine. If you have one of these appliances that use hot water, you will need to have a filter installed by a plumber.

When you find a suitable Clarksville, Tennessee water treatment facility for your needs, you will see that they have everything that you need to keep you safe from bacteria and other harmful substances in your water. If you need one of the filters designed to filter the water coming through your shower head, you can find them quickly at any home improvement store. It is easy to install these filters, and they do an excellent job of cleaning the water that comes through your faucets. Once you have the water treatment system in place, you will have one less thing you will worry about in your household.

 

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