# Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-101: Part definitions > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-101 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-101 - **Heading:** Part definitions - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 68 / Chapter 221 / Section 68-221-101 ## Text As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Auxiliary intake" means any piping connection or other device whereby water may be secured from a source other than that normally used; (2) "By-pass" means any system of piping or other arrangement whereby the water may be diverted around any part or portion of a water purification plant; (3) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of environment and conservation or the commissioner's authorized agent; (4) "Cross connection" means any physical connection whereby a potable water supply system is connected with any other water supply system, whether public or private, either inside or outside of any building or buildings, in such manner that a flow of water into the potable water supply is possible, either through the manipulation of valves or because of ineffective check or back pressure valves; (5) "Department" means the department of environment and conservation through its executive officer, the commissioner of environment and conservation, or the commissioner's legally designated representative; (6) "Interconnection" means any system of piping or other arrangement whereby a potable water supply is connected directly with a sewer, drain, conduit or other device which does or may carry sewage or other liquid or waste which would be capable of imparting contamination to the potable water supply; (7) "Person" means any and all persons, natural or artificial, including any individual, firm or association and any municipal or private corporation organized or existing under the laws of this or any other state or country; (8) "Potable water supply" means any public or other water supply, the quality of which is approved by the department for human consumption; (9) "Public sewerage system" means the conduits, sewers, and all devices and appurtenances by means of which sewage is collected, pumped, treated or disposed of finally. "Public sewerage system" does not include systems for private residences or dwellings; (10) "Public water supply" means any waterworks system as defined in subdivision (12), whether privately or publicly owned, where water is furnished to any community, collection or number of individuals for a fee or charge or any other waterworks system which, on account of the people who are or may be affected by the quality of the water, is classified as a public water supply by the department; (11) "Sewage" means all water-carried human and household wastes from residences, buildings, institutions or industrial establishments, together with such ground, surface, or storm water as may be present; and (12) "Waterworks system" means the source of supply and all structures and appurtenances used for the collection, treatment, storage and distribution of water delivered to the consumers. This does not include waterworks systems for private residences or dwellings or waterworks systems for industrial purposes not intended for human consumption. Acts 1945, ch. 52, § 1; C. Supp. 1950, § 5826.1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 53-2001, 68-13-101. As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Auxiliary intake" means any piping connection or other device whereby water may be secured from a source other than that normally used; (2) "By-pass" means any system of piping or other arrangement whereby the water may be diverted around any part or portion of a water purification plant; (3) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of environment and conservation or the commissioner's authorized agent; (4) "Cross connection" means any physical connection whereby a potable water supply system is connected with any other water supply system, whether public or private, either inside or outside of any building or buildings, in such manner that a flow of water into the potable water supply is possible, either through the manipulation of valves or because of ineffective check or back pressure valves; (4) "Cross connection" means any physical connection whereby a potable water supply system is connected with any other water supply system, whether public or private, either inside or outside of any building or buildings, in such manner that a flow of water into the potable water supply is possible, either through the manipulation of valves or because of ineffective check or back pressure valves; (5) "Department" means the department of environment and conservation through its executive officer, the commissioner of environment and conservation, or the commissioner's legally designated representative; (6) "Interconnection" means any system of piping or other arrangement whereby a potable water supply is connected directly with a sewer, drain, conduit or other device which does or may carry sewage or other liquid or waste which would be capable of imparting contamination to the potable water supply; (7) "Person" means any and all persons, natural or artificial, including any individual, firm or association and any municipal or private corporation organized or existing under the laws of this or any other state or country; (8) "Potable water supply" means any public or other water supply, the quality of which is approved by the department for human consumption; (9) "Public sewerage system" means the conduits, sewers, and all devices and appurtenances by means of which sewage is collected, pumped, treated or disposed of finally. "Public sewerage system" does not include systems for private residences or dwellings; (10) "Public water supply" means any waterworks system as defined in subdivision (12), whether privately or publicly owned, where water is furnished to any community, collection or number of individuals for a fee or charge or any other waterworks system which, on account of the people who are or may be affected by the quality of the water, is classified as a public water supply by the department; (11) "Sewage" means all water-carried human and household wastes from residences, buildings, institutions or industrial establishments, together with such ground, surface, or storm water as may be present; and (12) "Waterworks system" means the source of supply and all structures and appurtenances used for the collection, treatment, storage and distribution of water delivered to the consumers. This does not include waterworks systems for private residences or dwellings or waterworks systems for industrial purposes not intended for human consumption. Acts 1945, ch. 52, § 1; C. Supp. 1950, § 5826.1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 53-2001, 68-13-101. ## Nearby sections - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-101 Part definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-101.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-102 Supervision over construction of water supply and sewerage systems - Certification of local standards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-102.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-103 Supervision of operation and maintenance of water and sewerage systems - Notice to persons served of noncompliance with regulations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-103.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-104 Cross connections, auxiliary intakes, by-pass or interconnections to be approved - Drain lines or conduits carrying wastes not to enter water supply](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-104.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-105 Defects in water supply or sewerage system ordered corrected when health menace](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-105.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-106 Review of order to correct - Procedure - Injunctive relief](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-106.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-107 Violation of this part a misdemeanor - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-107.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-108 Enforcement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-108.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-109 [Repealed]](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-109.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-201 Part definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-201.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-202 State grants to municipalities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-202.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-203 Allocation of state grants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-203.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-204 Contracts between state and municipalities for eligible projects - Provisions and requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-204.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-221-205 Sewage treatment works construction account](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-205.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T68_C221_S68-221-101. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.