Crab Orchard, TN Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
While Crab Orchard avoids TN's lowest safety tiers, a portion of its water systems have logged documented violations.
How Crab Orchard Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Crab Orchard Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 55% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 17.62 — above typical levels.
Crab Orchard's Water Providers
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Crab Orchard, TN's residential water connections out of 3 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Crab Orchard, Tennessee (population ~1,307), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 56,833 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Crab Orchard — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Crab Orchard: C (66/100)
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
Crab Orchard water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Crab Orchard
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37723 | C | Cumberland Plateau Water Authority | 22,673 |
All ZIP Codes in Crab Orchard
- 37723 [C]
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.
Crab Orchard 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
Crab Orchard Infrastructure Age
With 55% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Crab Orchard's median build year of 1986 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Crab Orchard 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.
Crab Orchard: 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.
After the federal action removing lead-bearing solder from new plumbing took effect, building practice shifted — but 55% of the Crab Orchard inventory predates that line. With aggregate samples near or beyond 0.015 mg/L, an in-home check moves out of the optional column into 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 Crab Orchard
- 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 55% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Crab Orchard, TN