Hornbeak, TN: 9 Violations — 86/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Hornbeak tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for TN — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Hornbeak Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Hornbeak Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 9 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 58% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.51 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Hornbeak
Residential addresses in Hornbeak, TN are served by 3 primary water providers out of 3 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 Hornbeak, Tennessee (population ~2,254), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 5,299 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Hornbeak: A (86/100)
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
Hornbeak water systems draw from: Groundwater.
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)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 1 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1920 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38232 | A | 9 | 0 | Elbridge Water Association |
All ZIP Codes in Hornbeak
- 38232 [A] — 9 violations
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.
CDC Health Data for Hornbeak
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Hornbeak
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Hornbeak's Housing Stock?
With 58% 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
Hornbeak's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1973 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Hornbeak 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.
Hornbeak: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Although the Hornbeak remediation share is moderate, it remains reachable for most homeowners who plan for the expense in advance.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Hornbeak. The estimated $800–$1,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 64% below the Tennessee average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Hornbeak
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 58% of the Hornbeak inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Hornbeak
Multiple flood events have been recorded for Hornbeak through the NFIP — 5 claims in total, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
Hornbeak has a moderate flood history with 5 FEMA claims averaging $8,285 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>$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 Hornbeak, TN