Gay, GA Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for Gay 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 Gay Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Gay Water
- Average lead level: 0.0016 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 52% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.15 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Gay
Because residential water in Gay, GA flows primarily through a single utility, infrastructure decisions, rate-setting, and EPA compliance are all managed within one organizational structure. Federal records show 1 system active in the area, but one provider dominates the service landscape for most homes and apartments.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Gay, Georgia, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,721 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Gay — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gay: 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
Gay water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0016 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30218 | B | GAY | 194 |
All ZIP Codes in Gay
- 30218 [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 Gay
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 Gay
With 52% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Gay's housing stock carries a median build year of 1986. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Gay 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Gay Homeowners
In Gay, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Gay are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 15% below the Georgia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Gay
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 52% 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 Gay address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Gay, GA