Madisonville Water Department

What Is Water Quality?

Water quality describes the condition of the water, including chemical, physical, and biological characteristics, usually with respect to its suitability for a particular purpose such as drinking or swimming.

Water quality is measured by several factors, such as:

• The concentration of dissolved oxygen

• Bacteria levels

• The amount of salt (or salinity)

• The amount of material suspended in the water (turbidity).

Water Quality Concerns

The biggest threat to water quality in Monroe County are large quantities of fertilizer and animal waste runoff, which are both types of nonpoint source pollution. Too much fertilizer in the water is bad for aquatic life. It causes overgrowth of aquatic plants, which leads to a depletion of oxygen in the water. Over half of the streams in Monroe County do not fully support aquatic life because of these nonpoint source pollutants!

What is Nonpoint Source Pollution?

Nonpoint source pollution refers to diffuse contamination in air or water that does not come from a single, discrete source. Instead, it comes from many smaller sources, and why it is more difficult to prevent.

Besides fertilizer and animal waste, other types of nonpoint source pollution include pesticides, pathogens, salts, oil, grease, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals.

This is in contrast to point source pollution, which comes from a single, identifiable source such as a factory or sewage treatment plant. The United States has made great strides in the last 25 years to reduce point source pollution. This is due in part to regulation from organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

Resources to improve water quality

Water Quality Violations

Citizens may submit complaints about water quality violations to the Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation by mailing in complaints or calling the toll free number at (888) 891-8332.

Complaints submitted as letters may be mailed to:

Division of Water Resources
William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 11th Floor
Nashville, Tennessee 37243

To report illegal dumping, visit your local field office at:

3791 Middlebrook Pike
Knoxville, TN 37921

Or call (865) 594-6035

Waste Collection Services

To safely dispose of hazardous waste, drop offs are open from 8 a.m. to noon at 3475 New Hwy 68, Madisonville, TN or contact Stacy Chambers at (423) 442-2497.