Northeast Knox Utility District is located on the north side of the Holston River, northeast of the corporate boundary of the City of Knoxville.  Incorporated in 1955 and in service since 1959, the District has obtained water since its inception from the Holston River at mile 10.5, upstream from Legg Creek.  The district's surface water is treated at the filtration plant there, which originally had a capacity of 1.5 million gallons per day.  Water was distributed to 100 initial customers over a service area of approximately 40 square miles.

In 1972, Northeast Knox Utility District began improvements to the filtration plant, doubling the plant capacity to 2.3 million gallons per day.  In the mid-80's, the District began replacement of 98% of all small-diameter pipeline in the distribution system, improving delivery service and increasing fire protection for its customers.  Following these improvements to the District's treatment and distribution system,  the Knox County Executive entered a decree in 1985 which expanded the boundaries of Northeast Knox to serve customers in an approximate 65 square mile area.  The district's service authority was also expanded at that time, to include both water and sewer service.  

The area served by Northeast Knox Utility District has traditionally been a rural one, marked by slow population growth.  In the 1990's, new industries have elected to locate in the area, and so, too, have residential developers and builders recognized the growth potential of northeast Knox County.  Accordingly, the District has made the appropriate infrastructure improvements to support future growth.

In addition to serving a residential population of nearly 15,000 in northeast Knox County, the District also sells water to neighboring Luttrell-Blaine-Corryton Utility District and recently contracted to sell water to the City of Maynardville.  The opening of Daikin Industries' new manufacturing plant in Eastbridge Business Park, which is also the site of a General Electric distribution facility, is projected for year-end 1995.  Such industrial development will afford Northeast Knox Utility District an even more viable position from which to serve its present and future customers.

In 1999 Northeast Knox Utility District began construction on improvements of its water system.  Northeast Knox Utility District has completed construction of larger lines on Wise Springs Road and Ridgeview Road with improvements to the Wise Springs pump station from approximately 320 GPM to 820 GPM.  The Roberts Road pump station was increased from approximately 350 GPM to approximately 1,000 GPM.  Northeast Knox Utility District has also installed 10" water lines in the Harbison Crossroad area to serve the growth and to supply additional service in the future.  Lines are also being added on Tazewell Pike, Barker Road and Wood Road in order to provide new customer service.  There are also renovations to the Emory Road booster pump station to bring its capacity to 350 GPM with an additional 500,000 gallon storage tank.  Northeast Knox Utility District is adding an additional 3200 GPM to the water treatment plant.  The monies needed for these projects were in excess of 4.9 million dollars.  Through good management practices and the prompt payment of the monthly bill by our customers, Northeast Knox Utility District has only borrowed 1,351,000 dollars to complete these projects to improve the supplies for the future customers of Northeast Knox Utility District.  Thanks to our customers, we have accomplished a huge project in a conservative format.