Bulls Gap, TN: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water quality in Bulls Gap has lagged behind TN benchmarks — documented violations keep the safety grade low.
How Bulls Gap Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Bulls Gap Water
- Homes built before 1986: 56% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.71 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Bulls Gap
In Bulls Gap, TN, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 5 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bulls Gap, Tennessee (population ~5,682), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 39,758 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Bulls Gap — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bulls Gap: D (40/100)
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
Bulls Gap water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Bulls Gap
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37711 | D | OLD KNOXVILLE HWY U.D. | 8,296 |
All ZIP Codes in Bulls Gap
- 37711 [D]
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 Bulls Gap
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 Bulls Gap
With 56% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Bulls Gap, the median build year of 1988 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Bulls Gap 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 Bulls Gap Homeowners
Although the Bulls Gap remediation share is moderate, it remains reachable for most homeowners who plan for the expense in advance.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Bulls Gap. The estimated $1,100–$2,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 48% below the Tennessee average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Bulls Gap
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 56% of the Bulls Gap inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Bulls Gap
- 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. With 56% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Bulls Gap, TN