Austell, GA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety 75/100
2 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Austell: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Tap water monitoring data for Austell shows a consistently clean picture in GA - few violations on record, compliance well above the median.
How Austell Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Austell Water
- Average lead level: 0.0023 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 47% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,850 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.79.
Who Supplies Your Water in Austell
Water supply in Austell, GA follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 3 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Austell, Georgia (population ~47,677), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 829,858 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 2 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Austell: B (75/100)
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
Austell water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0023 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 1 ZIP code
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 1 ZIP code
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
All ZIP Codes in Austell
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.
Health Outcomes in Austell
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Austell
With 47% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
What does a median build year of 1982 mean for water safety in Austell? It means the housing stock straddles two key plumbing thresholds: the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in copper plumbing, and the pre-1970 era when lead pipes were commonly installed for service lines. A meaningful share of homes predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating varied risk levels across the city's housing inventory.
Most homes in Austell were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Austell Homeowners
Although the Austell remediation share is moderate, it remains reachable for most homeowners who plan for the expense in advance.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Austell. The estimated $2,600–$5,550 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 16% above the Georgia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Austell
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.
Wherever 47% of local housing was built before solder rules changed - as is the case in Austell - a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Austell
Historical NFIP data for Austell contains 302 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $69,187. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 50% 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>$3,850</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 Austell, GA