JEA breaks down EPA’s findings on Jackson water systems
JACKSON, Tenn. — According to an EPA report, forever chemicals have been found in Jackson water systems. Despite the findings, the Jackson Energy Authority says it is not enough to be a concern.
PFOS and PFAS are two forever chemicals studies have linked to various health issues. These chemicals are found in everyday use items such as food packaging and drinking water.
In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency set a limit on trace amounts of forever chemicals in water systems.
“So EPA has set that the limits in drinking water are four parts per trillion, so normally systems deal in parts per million, but EPA set these at parts per trillion, which is equivalent to one second in about 32 thousand years,” said JEA’s Senior VP of Water Division, Robert Mullins.
In a study, PFOS was measured 3.8 times over the limit in the Jackson water system.
“When EPA set these guidelines, every city in the United States had to test their water, Jackson being one of those,” Mullins said. “From these test results, over ten thousand sites throughout the United States came back with a positive detect for trace amounts of these chemicals.”
“What’s in there with these trace chemicals, just like anything that’s a chemical in the environment is going to be in trace amounts in most everything you use, whether it’s food products, lipstick, and the trace amounts are actually but not at a harmful level,” Mullins said.
Despite the results, Mullins assures residents their water is safe.
“Our water is safe. There’s no immediate risk or hazard. Our water is completely safe,” Mullins stated. “Not only is it great tasting, it’s completely safe. We comply with all TDEC and EPA standards.”
Recently, JEA was recognized for having the “best drinking water” in Tennessee and Kentucky. They were judged on the clarity, scent and flavor of the water.
“It feels great,” said Mullins. “It really makes me proud of what we have here in Jackson, makes me proud of our employees. But also it makes me really proud, I’m a native to Jackson, so I know what resource we have in our groundwater, so it’s really great for our customers.”
The EPA has set a compliance date for water systems to address trace levels of 2030.
JEA will advance and compete in the next American Water Works Association Conference and Exposition in 2026.
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