Lafayette, TN: 1 Violation — 68/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
For most households in Lafayette, TN tap water is adequate — the middle-tier grade reflects gaps in specific service areas.
How Lafayette Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Lafayette Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.02 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Lafayette
Water delivery in Lafayette, TN is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 3 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Lafayette, Tennessee (population ~16,887), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 38,163 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 Lafayette: 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
Lafayette water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37083 | C | 1 | 0 | Lafayette Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Lafayette
- 37083 [C] — 1 violation
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 Lafayette
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 Lafayette
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Lafayette's Housing Stock?
With 50% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Lafayette's housing stock carries a median build year of 1984. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Lafayette 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.
Lafayette: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property equity in Lafayette sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Lafayette. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 4% above the Tennessee average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Lafayette
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.
When older housing represents 50% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Lafayette address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Lafayette
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Lafayette falls in moderate-exposure territory — 1 documented incident spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Lafayette has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $6,687 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>$2,400</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 Lafayette
- 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. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Lafayette's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 50% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lafayette, TN