Athens, GA: 16 Health Violations - Home Safety 77/100
10 ZIP codes · 15 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Athens: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (16 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Drinking water tracked for Athens by GA authorities posts above-average scores - the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How Athens Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Water Quality Map: Athens, GA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Athens's 6 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Athens Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 72 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0049 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,720 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.24.
Athens's Water Providers
Multiple utilities divide Athens, GA's water service - 3 leading providers among 15 on the federal register.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 10 ZIP codes in Athens, Georgia (population ~130,330), covering 15 community water systems serving approximately 208,626 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 6 of 10 ZIP codes.
6 of 6 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 16 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Athens: B (77/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Athens water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0049 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 6 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 10 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 24 | 6 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 23 | 6 |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 10 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 9 | 2 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 6 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30605 | C | 48 | 4 | Athens-clarke Company Water System |
| 30606 | B | 35 | 5 | Athens-clarke Company Water System |
| 30607 | B | 22 | 13 | Athens-clarke Company Water System |
| 30601 | B | 4 | 3 | Athens-clarke Company Water System |
| 30602 | B | 4 | 3 | Athens-clarke Company Water System |
| 30609 | B | 4 | 3 | Athens-clarke Company Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Athens
- 30601 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 30602 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 30603
- 30604
- 30605 [C] - 48 violations ⚠
- 30606 [B] - 35 violations ⚠
- 30607 [B] - 22 violations ⚠
- 30608
- 30609 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 30612
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Athens Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
What's in Athens's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Athens
Equity impact data for Athens lands in the favorable tier - remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Athens are relatively low compared to home values. The $780–$3,340 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 27% above the Georgia average.
Athens: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Athens appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Athens: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Athens contains 37 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $6,642. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 40% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. The <strong>$1,720</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Athens, GA