Sands Spring

## Overview Sands Spring is a public drinking spring located along Mehaffey Road in the western Knoxville area of Anderson County, Tennessee. The spring is housed in a dedicated spring building situated on the street side of the property, making it relatively easy to spot for those passing by. While the property itself is privately owned, visitors are welcome to stop by and access the spring. Nestled in the rolling terrain of East Tennessee — a region well known for its abundance of natural springs fed by limestone and dolomite aquifers — Sands Spring is part of a long tradition of roadside springs that have served local communities as sources of fresh water for generations. The GPS coordinates (36.00545, -84.12254) place it near the intersection of rural roads west of Knoxville, in an area where the underlying karst geology naturally channels groundwater to the surface. ## Directions 1. From Knoxville, head west on I-40 toward Oak Ridge. 2. Take the exit toward Pellissippi Parkway (TN-162) heading north. 3. Continue to Mehaffey Road and turn onto it. 4. Look for the spring building on the street side near the address 1139 Mehaffey Road, Knoxville, TN 37931. 5. The spring house is visible from the road — park safely along the roadside to access it. *Note: Since this is private property where visitors are welcomed, please be respectful of the landowner and the surrounding area.* ## What to Expect Upon arrival, you'll find a spring building constructed on the street side of the property, designed to shelter and provide access to the spring water. The structure makes the spring easy to locate and access directly from the road without needing to hike or navigate trails. Because the spring is on private land, visitors should be courteous — keep noise to a minimum, avoid leaving any litter, and respect the generosity of the property owner in allowing public access. There are no formal facilities such as restrooms or parking lots, so plan accordingly. The water from Sands Spring has historically been used as a drinking water source by locals in the area, consistent with many roadside springs throughout East Tennessee. As with any natural spring, water quality can vary with weather conditions and seasonal changes, and no formal water testing data is currently available for this site. The surrounding area along Mehaffey Road offers a peaceful, rural East Tennessee landscape — a pleasant stop for spring water enthusiasts exploring the region's many natural water sources.