Tennessee's drinking water generally has lead levels well below those that have raised concerns in Flint, Michigan. That's according to an Associated Press survey of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data.
In recent years, Tennessee has had only one case of problematic lead levels. That was in the Elizabethton area. The utility there was able to make changes that have brought the lead levels down, and the water has tested under the EPA limit for the past year.
Tennessee's lead testing has been coordinated by the Department of Environment and Conservation, which has been taking several new steps in response to the Flint crisis. They included changes to the Tennessee Safe Drinking Water Act that will require water systems to inform customers more quickly about sampling results and lead problems.
