Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 1220 - Tennessee Public Utility Commission
Subtitle 1220-04 - Division of Public Utilities
Chapter 1220-04-03 - Water Regulations
Section 1220-04-03-.40 - QUALITY OF WATER

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 1220-04-03-.40

Current through September 24, 2024

(1) Any utility furnishing water service for human consumption or for domestic uses shall provide water that is wholesome, potable, free from objectionable odors and taste, and in no way harmful or dangerous to health.

(2) Any utility furnishing water service for human consumption or domestic use shall conform to all legal requirements of the State Department of Health for construction and operation of its water system as pertains to sanitation and potability of the water.

(3) In absence of comparable requirements of the State Department of Health, the following rules shall apply:

(a) Source-Water supplied by any utility shall be:
1. obtained from a source free from pollution and adequately protected from pollution; or

2. adequately protected by artificial treatment;

3. reasonably free from objectionable color, turbidity, taste, and odor;

4. from a source reasonably adequate to provide a continuous supply of water;

5. of such quality at all times as to meet the standards of purity for drinking water as set out in Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards, Revised 1962, PHS Publication No. 956.

(b) Operation of Supply System.
1. The water supply system, including wells, reservoirs, pumping equipment, treatment works, mains, and service pipes shall be free from sanitary defects.

2. No physical connection between the distribution system of a public potable water supply and that of any other water supply shall be permitted, unless such other water supply maintains a safe sanitary quality in accordance with these rules and regulations and the interconnection of both supplies is approved by the State Department of Health.

3. The growth of algae in the water at the source of supply, in reservoirs or other basins, and in the water mains, shall be controlled by proper treatment.

4. Utilities obtaining water supplies from driven or drilled wells shall maintain the tightness of well casings and provide protection at the surface of the ground to prevent the infiltration of water other than from the strata tapped by such wells.

(4) Testing

(a) Each utility shall have representative samples of the water supplied by it examined by the State or local Department of Health or by a competent chemist and bacteriologist, skilled in the sanitary examination of water at intervals sufficient to insure a safe water supply.

(b) In the event that the above-prescribed tests show that the water furnished by the utility is contaminated or otherwise unsafe for human consumption, the utility shall forward a report of such test to the Authority or other state agency having correctional jurisdiction without delay, and shall take immediate steps to correct the condition.

Authority: T.C.A. § 65-2-102.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Tennessee may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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