Afton, TN: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Monitoring data across Afton reveals a persistent pattern of below-average compliance in TN — multiple service areas carry documented health violations, and the data has shown little overall improvement over recent EPA reporting cycles.
How Afton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Afton Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 47% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.27 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Afton
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Afton, TN — out of 6 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Afton, Tennessee (population ~5,638), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 179,199 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Afton — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Afton: D (53/100)
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
Afton water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Afton
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37616 | D | GREENEVILLE WATER COMMISSION | 26,657 |
All ZIP Codes in Afton
- 37616 [D]
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 Afton
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 Afton's Housing Stock?
With 47% 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
Development in Afton unfolded across multiple decades, and the median build year of 1980 reflects a housing inventory where eras of construction are genuinely mixed — including portions that predate the federal prohibition on lead solder in plumbing.
Most homes in Afton 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.
Afton: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Homeowners in Afton are working with a moderate equity share for documented remediation — the commitment deserves a line in the household budget, not dismissal.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Afton. The estimated $1,900–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 15% below the Tennessee average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Afton
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.
Wherever 47% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Afton — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Afton
Taken together, Afton's 1 NFIP flood insurance claim and 100% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Afton has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $2,293 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>$2,900</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 Afton
- 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 47% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Afton, TN