Clarkesville, GA Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Clarkesville hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in GA with few health-based violations on file.
How Clarkesville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Clarkesville Water
- Average lead level: 0.0006 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 40% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.37 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Clarkesville
2 independent water providers serve Clarkesville, GA — 2 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Clarkesville, Georgia, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 13,777 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Clarkesville — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Clarkesville: B (83/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Clarkesville water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0006 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30523 | B | Clarkesville | 5,785 |
All ZIP Codes in Clarkesville
- 30523 [B]
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
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Clarkesville
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 Clarkesville
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
Pre-1986 construction carries elevated plumbing-era lead risk because lead solder was widely used before that federal ban. In Clarkesville, the median build year of 1998 indicates a housing stock where that older fraction represents a significant share of the residential inventory.
Most homes in Clarkesville 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 Clarkesville Homeowners
Across Clarkesville, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Clarkesville are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 11% above the Georgia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Clarkesville
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 40% pre-rule share in Clarkesville keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Clarkesville
Flood risk in Clarkesville occupies the middle ground: 10 NFIP claims and 100% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Clarkesville has a moderate flood history with 10 FEMA claims averaging $16,375 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,600</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Clarkesville, GA