The City of Bristol, Tennessee pumped about six million gallons of water to customers each day last year, consistently meeting or exceeding all state and federal quality standards.
Detailed information is included in the 2021 Water Quality Report that was recently mailed to the City’s 13,000 business and residential water customers. The report includes the results of around-the-clock testing, information about the City’s water treatment processes, and frequently asked questions about the City’s water supply.
“Before the City distributes water to our customers, we are continually testing and monitoring it for contaminants that are naturally found in every water source,” said Water Plant Superintendent Mark Quickel. “Some tests are conducted quarterly, some are done every day, and some are conducted every two hours, 12 times a day.”
Water quality standards are established by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. To meet these standards, the City draws water from South Holston River and sends it through a six-step treatment process, then checks the water supply for more than 80 contaminants that can be present as a result of soil runoff, corrosion of household plumbing, or compounds naturally found in the environment. Only a few contaminants were detected in Bristol’s water supply throughout the year and each was at a level well within state and federal guidelines.
The 2021 Water Quality Report also includes tips for keeping the City’s drinking water safe, maps of the City’s water distribution and water shed areas, and information about the Bristol Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant that is jointed owned with Bristol Virginia Utilities.
The 13,000 water customers served by the City of Bristol, Tennessee include more than 40,000 individuals and four utility districts. It is estimated that each person uses about 100 gallons of water each day.
The 2021 Water Quality Report is available online at www.bristoltn.org/WaterQuality. For additional information, please contact Mark Quickel at (423) 989-5576 or [email protected]
