Heavy Metals
Heavy Metals | Water Purification | Plumbing | Greeneville
Greeneville’s aging infrastructure can let lead, iron, and other heavy metals hitch a ride straight to your tap. HEP’s master plumbers attack the problem at its source, replacing corroded lines and installing advanced filter cartridges that capture contaminants down to the micron. The result is crisp, clear water that’s kinder to your body, your appliances, and even your morning coffee.
Our team begins every job with a free in-home test, explains the findings in plain English, and crafts a custom water purification plan backed by rock-solid warranties. With transparent pricing and 24/7 emergency support, you can sip, cook, and shower with confidence—knowing Greeneville’s most trusted experts have purified every drop.
FAQs
What heavy metals are most likely to show up in Greeneville’s tap water and how do they get there?
The metals that cause the most concern in Greeneville and the surrounding East Tennessee region are lead, copper, iron, manganese, arsenic and, in some rural wells, cadmium and chromium-6. Lead and copper usually leach from aging service lines, solder or brass fixtures inside the home. Iron and manganese come from older cast-iron mains or natural deposits in the Nolichucky River watershed. Arsenic, cadmium and chromium-6 are naturally occurring in the area’s limestone and shale bedrock or can enter through historic mining runoff. Even when the municipal utility meets federal standards at the treatment plant, metals can dissolve into water as it travels through pipes to your faucet.
How can I tell whether my home’s plumbing is releasing lead or other metals into my drinking water?
Start by reviewing the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) published by the Greeneville Water Commission; it lists the most recent system-wide metal test results. Because lead and copper problems often originate in individual homes, the next step is to sample water at your kitchen tap. Collect a “first-draw” sample after the water has sat in the pipes for six hours and mail it to a state-certified laboratory. Many local plumbers and the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) can provide sample kits that follow EPA Method 200.8. Inexpensive test strips sold in hardware stores can show a quick positive/negative result, but only a certified lab can give the exact parts-per-billion reading you need to decide on treatment.
Which water-purification technologies actually remove heavy metals and which is best for Greeneville homes?
Reverse osmosis (RO) is the most comprehensive option, typically reducing lead, arsenic, chromium and copper by 95–99 %. A four- or five-stage undersink RO unit paired with a carbon post-filter is the go-to choice for cooking and drinking water. For whole-house protection, a multi-stage system that combines KDF-55/85 media, catalytic carbon and sediment pre-filtration will remove or greatly reduce iron, manganese and up to 90 % of lead. Homes on private wells with very high arsenic levels sometimes need a dedicated arsenic-selective ion exchange unit. Distillation eliminates metals entirely but is slow and energy-intensive, so it is usually reserved for countertop pitchers or laboratory use.
Will a whole-house filtration system remove heavy metals from shower and bath water as well as drinking water?
Yes—if the system is specifically designed for metal removal and is sized for your home’s flow rate. A typical configuration for Greeneville homes includes a 5-micron sediment filter followed by 2–3 cubic feet of KDF or redox media and a high-capacity catalytic carbon tank. This set-up treats every tap, so you avoid inhaling or absorbing metals in steam or through the skin while bathing. Reverse-osmosis units installed at the point of entry are available, but they require a large storage tank and a drain line; most homeowners choose the KDF/carbon approach because it has lower water waste and simpler maintenance.
How often do I need to change filters or membranes to keep metal levels low?
It depends on your water chemistry and household water use, but the general guidelines are: • Sediment pre-filters: 3–6 months • Carbon block cartridges: 6–12 months • KDF/redox media beds: 3–5 years (back-washing required every 10–14 days) • RO membranes: 2–3 years with proper pre-filtration Because metals can accumulate suddenly if media is exhausted, mark replacement dates on a calendar and keep a spare sediment and carbon cartridge on hand. Retest water every year (every six months for homes with young children or wells) to verify that lead and other metals remain below EPA Action Levels.
Are there local or state programs that help Greeneville residents address heavy-metal contamination?
Yes. The Greeneville Water Commission offers free lead awareness brochures and will test a customer’s first-draw tap sample for lead and copper once per year upon request. The Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) provides reduced-cost sampling kits for private-well owners and administers the Tennessee Lead Hazard Reduction Program, which can fund partial pipe-replacement or filtration in qualifying homes. On the regulatory side, the utility must follow EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule, and the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions require an inventory of all lead service lines by 2024. Homeowners who replace lead service lines can often receive a credit on their water bill or low-interest financing through the State Revolving Fund.