Cordova, TN Water Safety: 68/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring cities in TN, Cordova lands in the middle tier — some water systems meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and performance can vary significantly across service areas.
How Cordova Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Cordova Water
- Homes built before 1986: 22% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,850 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.69 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Cordova
In Cordova, TN, the drinking water supply is organized under a single dominant utility — a consolidated structure that shapes how infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance, and rate decisions flow to households. When one provider handles the overwhelming share of residential connections out of 1 tracked system, accountability is clear: service upgrades, EPA violation responses, and tariff changes all funnel through that single organizational structure.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Cordova, Tennessee (population ~82,747), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 659,500 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Cordova — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cordova: C (68/100)
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
Cordova water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Cordova
- 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): 3 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38016 | B | MEMPHIS LIGHT, GAS, & WATER | 659,500 |
| 38018 | C | MEMPHIS LIGHT, GAS, & WATER | 659,500 |
| 38088 | C | MEMPHIS LIGHT, GAS, & WATER | 659,500 |
All ZIP Codes in Cordova
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 Cordova
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 Cordova
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Cordova has a newer housing profile — median build year 1994, placing most homes after the 1986 lead-solder ban.
Most homes in Cordova were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Cordova Homeowners
Property equity in Cordova runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Cordova are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,300–$2,900 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 17% above the Tennessee average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Cordova
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.
Generally, the structural picture for Cordova runs in a quiet direction. Aggregate sampling rests under the federal action benchmark, and 22% of housing comes from the pre-rule era — a contained local footprint. That dual signal keeps lead in the background of local concerns, while a one-faucet measurement still answers a different question than any system average can: what is actually flowing from one specific tap on a given morning.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Cordova
FEMA data shows 67% of Cordova's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 23 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Cordova has a moderate flood history with 23 FEMA claims averaging $43,564 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>$1,850</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 Cordova
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cordova, TN