Elmwood, TN: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Elmwood, EPA compliance records fall well below TN averages — documented health-based violations affect multiple service areas, and the city's sustained low grade reflects a persistent pattern across reporting cycles.
How Elmwood Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Elmwood Water
- Homes built before 1986: 54% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.04 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Elmwood
Structurally, Elmwood, TN's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 4 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Elmwood, Tennessee (population ~1,639), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 21,827 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Elmwood — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Elmwood: D (53/100)
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
Elmwood water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Elmwood
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38560 | D | SMITH UTILITY DISTRICT | 8,913 |
All ZIP Codes in Elmwood
- 38560 [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 Elmwood
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 Elmwood
With 54% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Elmwood's median build year of 1985 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Elmwood 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 Elmwood Homeowners
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Elmwood is moderate — worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Elmwood. The estimated $2,300–$4,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 9% below the Tennessee average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Elmwood
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 54% pre-rule share in Elmwood keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Elmwood
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Elmwood has accumulated 3 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Elmwood has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $38,809 per payout. 100% 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>$3,500</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 Elmwood
- 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 54% 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 Elmwood, TN