Columbia, TN Water Safety: 92/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Columbia hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in TN with few health-based violations on file.
How Columbia Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Columbia Residents
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.76 — above typical levels.
Columbia's Water Providers
Residential water service in Columbia, TN is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 8 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Columbia, Tennessee (population ~66,696), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 325,443 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Columbia — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Columbia: A (92/100)
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
Columbia 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 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 2 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38401 | A | Columbia Power and Water Systems | 84,617 |
| 38402 | A | Columbia Power and Water Systems | 84,617 |
All ZIP Codes in Columbia
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.
Columbia Community Health Snapshot
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
How Remediation Costs Compare in Columbia
In Columbia, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity — the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Columbia are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,700 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 32% above the Tennessee average.
Columbia: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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 Columbia 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.
Columbia: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Taken together, Columbia's 151 NFIP flood insurance claims and 50% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Columbia has a moderate flood history with 151 FEMA claims averaging $13,448 per payout. 50% 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>$1,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Columbia, TN