Buffalo Valley, TN: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 77/100
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Buffalo Valley: B.
This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.
Buffalo Valley, TN carries a grade in ZipCheckup's upper tier; any health-based violations on record should be checked per water system.
How Buffalo Valley Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Buffalo Valley Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 35 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 70% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $300 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 14.09.
Water Systems Serving Buffalo Valley
Counting every public water system linked to Buffalo Valley, TN in federal data gives 4. The list below keeps the 3 largest by reported population served, a figure that covers each system's whole service area rather than the city alone. A household's own supplier is named on its water bill.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Buffalo Valley, Tennessee (population ~1,217), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 27,823 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Buffalo Valley: B (77/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Buffalo Valley water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 2.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 10 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 8 | 1 |
| Chlorine | Disinfectant | 4 | 1 |
| Nitrate | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | Organic | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38548 | B | 35 | 1 | Baxter Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in Buffalo Valley
- 38548 [B] - 35 violations ⚠
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Buffalo Valley
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Buffalo Valley
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Buffalo Valley's Housing Stock?
With 70% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
If you live in one of the pre-1986 homes in Buffalo Valley, a certified lab test for lead is the direct way to learn what your tap delivers; the median build year of 1975 is only context.
Over half of homes in Buffalo Valley were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Buffalo Valley: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The remediation-to-value ratio for Buffalo Valley sits at the bottom of the scale.
Estimated remediation costs in Buffalo Valley can be compared with local home values. The $150–$600 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 5% below the Tennessee average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Buffalo Valley
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Buffalo Valley, TN