Tunnel Hill, GA Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Tunnel Hill's water quality grade in GA reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Tunnel Hill Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Tunnel Hill Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 44% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.32 — above typical levels.
Tunnel Hill's Water Providers
With 3 utilities splitting service in Tunnel Hill, GA, water accountability is distributed across 3 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Tunnel Hill, Georgia (population ~10,768), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 158,728 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Tunnel Hill — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Tunnel Hill: C (63/100)
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
Tunnel Hill water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Tunnel Hill
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30755 | C | DALTON UTILITIES | 99,315 |
All ZIP Codes in Tunnel Hill
- 30755 [C]
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.
Tunnel Hill Community Health Snapshot
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
Tunnel Hill Infrastructure Age
With 44% 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
Roughly balanced between older and newer construction, Tunnel Hill shows a median build year of 1980 — a mid-range figure that places meaningful amounts of the residential inventory on both sides of the 1986 federal plumbing-solder ban.
Most homes in Tunnel Hill 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Tunnel Hill
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Tunnel Hill is moderate — worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Tunnel Hill. The estimated $1,600–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 16% below the Georgia average.
Tunnel Hill: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 44% of Tunnel Hill homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Tunnel Hill: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
The NFIP claim record for Tunnel Hill — 2 filed incidents — reflects genuine, recurring flood exposure rather than an isolated event or two. When a community accumulates flood claims at this volume and carries 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated zones, flood history starts to factor into water quality planning in ways it doesn't for lower-exposure areas. Flooding introduces specific contamination pathways — runoff overwhelming treatment facility intake, surface water infiltrating private wells, and pressure disruptions in distribution systems allowing backflow — all of which become more relevant as flood frequency increases.
Tunnel Hill has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims. 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>$2,800</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.
What You Can Do in Tunnel Hill
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 44% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Tunnel Hill, GA