Big Sandy, TN Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems in Big Sandy, TN serve households with few reported safety events.
How Big Sandy Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Big Sandy Water
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 59% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.42 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Big Sandy
With 2 utilities splitting service in Big Sandy, TN, water accountability is distributed across 2 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Big Sandy, Tennessee, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 3,046 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Big Sandy — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Big Sandy: B (83/100)
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
Big Sandy water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38221 | B | Big Sandy Water Department | 1,170 |
All ZIP Codes in Big Sandy
- 38221 [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.
Health Outcomes in Big Sandy
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Big Sandy
With 59% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Big Sandy — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1989 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Big Sandy were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Big Sandy Homeowners
Equity impact data for Big Sandy lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Big Sandy are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 47% below the Tennessee average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Big Sandy
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Big Sandy have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 59% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Big Sandy, TN