Water Infrastructure in Oak Ridge, NC: 25% Decay Risk
Decay risk 25% · low · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Oak Ridge's water infrastructure is in good condition with low decay probability.
Data: EPA ECHO, Census ACS, NTSB Last verified: 2026-05-03
What is infrastructure decay probability?
Infrastructure decay probability estimates the likelihood of water pipe deterioration based on pipe age, material type, violation history, and environmental conditions. Higher probability means greater risk of water main breaks, pressure drops, and contamination from aging pipes. The national average hovers around 30-40%. Oak Ridge's average is 25%.
What are CO/gas incidents?
Carbon monoxide (CO) and gas incidents tracked by the NTSB include pipeline failures, gas leaks, and CO exposure events. CO is odorless and can be fatal — the CDC reports about 420 deaths annually from unintentional CO poisoning. Every home should have working CO detectors on each floor, tested monthly. Oak Ridge has 1 recorded incident in the NTSB database.
Infrastructure Risk Distribution
How Oak Ridge's {totalZips} ZIP codes are distributed by infrastructure risk level:
Infrastructure Risk Overview
Oak Ridge, North Carolina has low infrastructure risk with an average decay probability of 25%. The city's 5 water systems are in relatively good condition based on system age, violation history, and housing vintage.
Infrastructure decay probability measures the likelihood of pipe failure, water main breaks, and system degradation based on pipe age, material, violation history, and environmental factors.
Key Infrastructure Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Decay probability | 25% |
| Risk level | low |
| Water systems | 5 |
| Median build year | 2009 |
| Pre-1986 housing | 23% |
| CO/gas incidents | 1 |
| ZIP codes | 1 |
| Population | 2,093 |
Infrastructure Risk Distribution
How Oak Ridge's 1 ZIP codes are distributed by infrastructure risk level:
| Risk Level | ZIP Codes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 0 | 0% |
| Moderate | 1 | 100% |
| High | 0 | 0% |
| Very High | 0 | 0% |
Water System Age and Pipe Materials
The median home in Oak Ridge was built in 2009 (approximately 17 years old). Housing age is one of the strongest proxies for water infrastructure age, as service lines and interior plumbing were typically installed during construction.
Pipe material risks by era:
| Era | Common Pipe Material | Expected Lifespan | Key Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | Lead, cast iron | 50-75 years | Lead contamination, corrosion |
| 1940-1960 | Galvanized steel, cast iron | 40-60 years | Rust, lead solder, reduced flow |
| 1960-1980 | Copper, galvanized steel | 50-70 years | Lead solder (pre-1986), pinhole leaks |
| 1980-2000 | Copper, PVC, CPVC | 25-50 years | Chlorine degradation of plastics |
| 2000+ | PEX, copper, CPVC | 25-50+ years | Generally low risk |
Carbon Monoxide & Gas Safety
1 CO/gas incidents have been recorded in the county covering Oak Ridge. The average CO risk score is 0 out of 100.
Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless — it is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the U.S. Risk factors include:
- Gas furnaces, water heaters, and stoves
- Attached garages
- Blocked chimneys or vents
- Portable generators used indoors
Prevention:
- Install CO detectors on every level, especially near bedrooms
- Have gas appliances inspected annually
- Never run generators, grills, or cars in enclosed spaces
- Replace CO detectors every 5-7 years
What Homeowners Can Do
Pipe Inspection
- Hire a licensed plumber to inspect your service line and interior plumbing
- Check for discolored water (brown/orange = rust; white/cloudy = air or sediment)
- Test water pressure — low pressure may indicate buildup in aging pipes
- Look for visible corrosion on exposed pipes in basement or utility areas
Water Heater Maintenance
- Flush your water heater annually to remove sediment
- Check the anode rod every 2-3 years (prevents tank corrosion)
- Set temperature to 120F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use
- Replace water heaters older than 10-15 years proactively
CO Detector Placement
- One detector per floor, minimum
- Within 10 feet of each bedroom door
- Near attached garage and utility room
- 5 feet above the floor (CO rises with warm air) or on the ceiling
- Not near windows, doors, or HVAC vents (air movement causes false readings)
Oak Ridge vs. Nearby North Carolina Cities
How Oak Ridge's infrastructure compares to nearby cities:
| City | Water Systems | Violations | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Ridge | 5 | 3 | 2,093 |
| Rodanthe | 1 | 0 | 2,100 |
| Salvo | 1 | 0 | 2,100 |
| Waves | 1 | 0 | 2,100 |
ZIP Codes in Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge covers 1 ZIP code served by 5 water systems. Infrastructure condition varies by ZIP code based on housing age, pipe material, and water system maintenance. Check your specific ZIP code for localized data.
Data Sources
- Water systems: EPA ECHO — Enforcement and Compliance History Online
- Infrastructure risk: Derived model (housing age, violation history, system assessments)
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- CO/gas incidents: NTSB, PHMSA pipeline incident reports
Updated daily.
Infrastructure Risk by ZIP Code in Oak Ridge
Infrastructure risk varies across Oak Ridge's 1 ZIP codes based on system age, pipe materials, and violation history.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27310 | A | 94/100 | 3 | View report → |
Check your water system's infrastructure
Infrastructure risk varies by ZIP code and water system. Enter your ZIP for a personalized infrastructure assessment.
Check Your Infrastructure Risk