Buford, GA: 5 Violations - Home Safety 55/100
3 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Buford: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
For residents of Buford, GA, a C is a prompt to look up the report for their own ZIP code rather than a verdict on their tap.
How Buford Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Buford Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 19% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 11.57.
Who Supplies Your Water in Buford
Because each listed system has its own federal record, violations at one of the 3 shown below do not apply to the others among the 3 tied to Buford, GA.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Buford, Georgia (population ~113,957), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 1,123,482 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 3 ZIP codes.
2 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Buford: C (55/100)
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
Buford water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0015 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
3 of 3 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 12 | 2 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30518 | C | 5 | 0 | Gwinnett Company Department of Water Resources |
| 30519 | D | 5 | 0 | Gwinnett Company Department of Water Resources |
All ZIP Codes in Buford
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 Buford
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Buford Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Buford
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
For Buford, the median build year stands at 1999; the figures below show the share of homes from each era.
Most homes in Buford were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Buford Homeowners
This section sets two area figures side by side for Buford: the median home value and an estimated remediation cost. Here the estimate equals no more than 1% of that value, which places the city in the low tier; it is an area estimate, and the cost for any one property can be higher or lower.
Estimated remediation costs in Buford can be compared with local home values. The $300–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 72% above the Georgia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Buford
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
While lead results averaged over Buford ZIP codes come in under 10 micrograms per liter, that figure combines many 90th-percentile values and cannot describe one building, including the 19% of housing that predates 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Buford
Historical NFIP data for Buford contains 20 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $21,033. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% 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 $500 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.
What You Can Do in Buford
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Consumer Confidence Rule, listed in the water-quality records for Buford: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Buford, GA