Mercer, TN: High Radon Risk - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 0 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Mercer Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 72% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.74 - above typical levels.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mercer, Tennessee, covering 0 community water system serving approximately 736 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 0 of 1 ZIP codes.
EPA water-system violation data is unavailable in the dataset used for this page for the tracked ZIP codes in Mercer.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Mercer
- Lead action-level status: not available
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
All ZIP Codes in Mercer
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Mercer
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
How Old Is Mercer's Housing Stock?
With 72% 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
Reading the housing age data for Mercer - median build year 1972 - the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints - a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Mercer 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.
Mercer: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property values and remediation costs in Mercer combine to produce a high equity share - the financial burden here is significant.
At 5.5% of home value, remediation costs in Mercer represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,600–$3,300. Home values here are 81% below the Tennessee average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Mercer
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 72% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Mercer.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Mercer
Historical NFIP data for Mercer contains 3 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $2,482. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mercer, TN