CITY REPORT TN

Briceville, TN: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Public water data for Briceville, TN shows a low safety grade — health-based violations appear across a meaningful share of service areas in current EPA records.

How Briceville Compares

Briceville53/100
Tennessee avg69/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
3
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
D · 53
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$83K
Median Home Value
$2,900
Est. Remediation (3.5% of home value)

Key Facts for Briceville Residents

  • Homes built before 1986: 51% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 15.48 — above typical levels.

Briceville's Water Providers

Federal records list 3 water systems tied to Briceville, TN. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.

OAK RIDGE DEPT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Serves ~41,614 people
53
/100
Anderson County Water Authority
Serves ~25,700 people
53
/100
OLIVER SPRINGS WATER BOARD
Serves ~5,361 people
53
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Briceville, Tennessee (population ~1,136), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 72,675 people region-wide.

No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Briceville — an excellent indicator of water quality.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Briceville: 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

Briceville water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Lead data: not yet available for Briceville
  • 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
37710 D Anderson County Water Authority 25,700

All ZIP Codes in Briceville

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Briceville Community Health Snapshot

10.7%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
14.1%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
19.9%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10.7% ↑
Diabetes 14.1% ↑
Mental Health 19.9% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Briceville Infrastructure Age

1985
Median Build Year
51%
Built Before 1986
22%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 51% 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

Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Briceville's median build year of 1985 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.

1985
Median Year Built
51%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
22%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (22%) 1970–1986 (29%) Post-1986 (49%)

Over half of homes in Briceville 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.

How Remediation Costs Compare in Briceville

What does the elevated remediation share mean for Briceville homeowners financially? A serious commitment — one that calls for structured planning rather than an ad-hoc response.

Median Home Value
$82,500
Est. Remediation
$2,900
Remediation as % of home value 3.5%

At 3.5% of home value, remediation costs in Briceville represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,900–$4,100. Home values here are 63% below the Tennessee average.

Briceville: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

51%
Homes Built Before 1986

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 Briceville have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 51% 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.

Briceville: Flood History & Water Damage Risk

Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Briceville shows 6 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.

6
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$4,849
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones

Briceville has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $4,849 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 Briceville

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 51% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
  4. Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Briceville, TN?
Briceville has an average water safety score of 53/100 (Grade D). No EPA violations on record. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How does Briceville compare to Tennessee average?
Briceville has an average water safety score of 53/100, which is below the Tennessee state average of 69/100.
How many water systems serve Briceville?
Briceville is served by 3 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 1,136 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Briceville?
Estimated remediation costs in Briceville average $2,900 per household, ranging from $1,900 to $4,100. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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