Covington, GA: 6 Health Violations — 64/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Covington, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for GA.
How Covington Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Covington Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 30 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 30% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,867 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.91 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Covington
With 3 utilities splitting service in Covington, GA, water accountability is distributed across 9 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Covington, Georgia (population ~101,331), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 206,090 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Covington: C (64/100)
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
Covington water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Covington
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 3 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 | 32 | 3 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30014 | C | 10 | 2 | Newton Company Water-sewerage Authority |
| 30015 | C | 10 | 2 | Newton Company Water-sewerage Authority |
| 30016 | C | 10 | 2 | Newton Company Water-sewerage Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Covington
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.
CDC Health Data for Covington
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Covington
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Covington's Housing Stock?
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
Because Covington's housing stock spans a wide range of construction eras, the median build year of 2003 lands in a zone where two distinct risk populations share the same residential market. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — that practice was federally prohibited in 1986 but remained standard until then. The fraction built before 1970 face an additional risk: lead pipes used for service line connections were common before that decade, meaning both the pipe and the solder may be lead-containing in the oldest structures. Residents in mid-century or earlier homes face a different risk environment than neighbors in houses built after 1986, even if they drink from the same utility's supply — and that property-level divergence is what makes the age distribution above more diagnostic than the city-wide median alone.
Most homes in Covington 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.
Covington: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Covington is moderate — worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Covington. The estimated $1,617–$4,700 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 15% above the Georgia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Covington
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.
If aggregate samples sit below the EPA action level and just 30% of Covington's inventory comes from the pre-rule era, systemic lead is not a dominant local concern. The aggregate still cannot tell a homeowner what is actually flowing from a specific faucet on a specific morning, which is why an in-home draw exists as a separate measurement at the household tier.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Covington
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Covington shows 32 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Covington has a moderate flood history with 32 FEMA claims averaging $28,633 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>$2,867</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.
What You Can Do in Covington
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Covington's water.
- 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 Covington, GA