Gadsden, TN Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Gadsden lands near the TN median for water safety — compliance results are mixed, and the city's middle-grade standing reflects genuine variability across service areas rather than one problem driving the whole picture.
How Gadsden Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Gadsden Water
- Homes built before 1986: 65% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.86 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Gadsden
Residential addresses in Gadsden, TN are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Gadsden, Tennessee (population ~1,363), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 11,138 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Gadsden — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gadsden: 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
Gadsden water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Gadsden
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38337 | C | County Wide Utility District | 8,528 |
All ZIP Codes in Gadsden
- 38337 [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.
Health Outcomes in Gadsden
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 Gadsden
With 65% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Gadsden is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1977 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Gadsden 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 Gadsden Homeowners
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Gadsden, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Gadsden are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 14% below the Tennessee average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Gadsden
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 65% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Gadsden.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Gadsden
- 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 65% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Gadsden, TN