Bristol, TN: 18 Violations — 60/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems across Bristol produce average compliance results for TN overall — pockets with documented violations exist, and the variation between areas makes checking the specific system serving a given address the most useful step for residents here.
How Bristol Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Bristol Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 18 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.7 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Bristol
Bristol, TN is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 7 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Bristol, Tennessee (population ~38,330), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 189,140 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bristol: C (60/100)
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
Bristol water systems draw from: Surface water.
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 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 3 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 16 | 3 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 3 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37620 | C | 6 | 0 | Bristol Department of Utilities |
| 37621 | C | 6 | 0 | Bristol Department of Utilities |
| 37625 | C | 6 | 0 | Bristol Department of Utilities |
All ZIP Codes in Bristol
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 Bristol
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Bristol
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Bristol: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Bristol property market, documented remediation claims a moderate slice of typical equity — real but budgetable.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Bristol. The estimated $1,333–$2,700 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 21% below the Tennessee average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Bristol
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.
Lead risk in Bristol appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Bristol
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Bristol, that record documents 41 claims and 67% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Bristol has a moderate flood history with 41 FEMA claims averaging $3,337 per payout. 67% 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>$2,000</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 Bristol
- 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. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Bristol's water.
- 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 Bristol, TN