Emerson, GA Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for Emerson tell a largely clear story: violation rates are low, health-based exceedances are uncommon, and the city's grade puts it well above average within GA.
How Emerson Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Emerson Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0027 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.37 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Emerson
Emerson, GA is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 3 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Emerson, Georgia (population ~1,807), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 71,785 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Emerson — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Emerson: 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
Emerson water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0027 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30137 | B | Emerson | 1,435 |
All ZIP Codes in Emerson
- 30137 [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.
CDC Health Data for Emerson
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
How Old Is Emerson's Housing Stock?
With 50% 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
When a city's housing median build year is 1984, as in Emerson, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.
Over half of homes in Emerson were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Emerson: Remediation Cost in Perspective
For most homeowners in Emerson, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Emerson are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$1,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 13% below the Georgia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Emerson
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.
When older housing represents 50% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Emerson address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Emerson, GA