Is my drinking water safe?
Yes, our water meets all of EPA’s health standards. In 2007, we have conducted tests for over 50 contaminants that may be in drinking water. As you’ll see in the chart, we detected only 10 contaminants, and found all those contaminants at safe levels.

What is the source of my water?
Your water comes from surface water on the Emory River, which is the watershed for Cumberland Co., Morgan Co., and Roane County. We’re working hard to protect our water from contaminants, and working with the State to determine the vulnerability of our water supply to potential contamination. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), has prepared a Source Water Assessment program (SWAP) Report for the 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 a reasonably susceptible (high), moderately susceptible (moderate), or slightly susceptible (low) based on geologic factors and human activities in the vicinity of the water source. Harriman Utility Board’s Water Plant was rated as (moderate). The report is available to be viewed on request at our main office.
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 www.state.tn.us/environment/dws/dwassess.shtml or you may contact the Water System to obtain copies of specific assessments.

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. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
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 from human activity.
Contaminants that may be present in source water:
- Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
- Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or 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 septic systems.
- Organic chemical contaminates, including synethetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
- Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the results of oil and gas production and mining actitivies.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA and the Department of Environment and Conservation prescribe regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

For more information about your drinking water, please call us at (865) 882-3242.

How can I get involved?
The Harriman Utility Board meets at 7:00 P.M. on the last Monday of each month in the Harriman Utility Board conference room at the back of the main office located on Roane Street. Please feel free to participate. You may view our web site at www.hub-tn.com for additional information.

Is our water system meeting other rules that govern our operations?
The State and EPA requires us to test and report on our water on a regular basis to ensure its safety. We have always met all of these requirements. We want you to know that we pay attention to all the rules.

Do I Need to Take SpecialL Precautions?
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have under-gone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. 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)