Hortense, GA Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Hortense tap water earns a high safety grade — above-average compliance with GA and federal standards.
How Hortense Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Hortense Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 35% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.44 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Hortense
Residential addresses in Hortense, GA are served by 3 primary water providers out of 3 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Hortense, Georgia, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 4,914 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Hortense — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Hortense: B (73/100)
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
Hortense water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Hortense
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31543 | B | Glynn Company-south Main Land | 2,554 |
All ZIP Codes in Hortense
- 31543 [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 Hortense
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 Hortense'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
Some cities skew heavily toward one construction era; Hortense does not. The median build year of 1993 reflects a housing stock where older and newer homes share the market in meaningful proportions. That mixed profile means the city carries moderate aggregate plumbing-era risk — with older homes, particularly those built before 1986, representing the portion of the stock where lead-soldered joints may still be present.
Most homes in Hortense 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in Hortense
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 35% of the Hortense inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Hortense
Multiple flood events have been recorded for Hortense through the NFIP — 8 claims in total, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
Hortense has a moderate flood history with 8 FEMA claims averaging $20,121 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>$1,800</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 Hortense, GA