Arlington, TN Water Safety: 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring across Arlington paints a mid-range picture within TN — solid compliance in some service zones, documented concerns in others. Most violations on record are concentrated in specific areas, and the overall grade has held in the middle tier without major shifts in recent monitoring cycles.
How Arlington Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Arlington Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 19% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.69 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Arlington
Arlington, TN draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 4 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Arlington, Tennessee (population ~43,868), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 695,214 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Arlington — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Arlington: C (65/100)
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
Arlington water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Arlington
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38002 | C | MEMPHIS LIGHT, GAS, & WATER | 659,500 |
All ZIP Codes in Arlington
- 38002 [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.
CDC Health Data for Arlington
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 Arlington'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
Why does housing age matter for water safety? Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — a practice banned that year. Arlington's median build year of 2008 places much of the city's housing in the post-ban era, reducing that specific risk pathway for most residents.
Most homes in Arlington 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.
Arlington: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Setting Arlington remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Arlington are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 62% above the Tennessee average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Arlington
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.
Generally, the structural picture for Arlington runs in a quiet direction. Aggregate sampling rests under the federal action benchmark, and 19% of housing comes from the pre-rule era — a contained local footprint. That dual signal keeps lead in the background of local concerns, while a one-faucet measurement still answers a different question than any system average can: what is actually flowing from one specific tap on a given morning.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Arlington
FEMA data shows 100% of Arlington's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 41 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Arlington has a moderate flood history with 41 FEMA claims averaging $33,753 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.
What You Can Do in Arlington
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Arlington, TN