Monroe, TN Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Monroe shows moderate tap water quality for TN — some areas carry documented EPA violations while others meet standards without issues.
How Monroe Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Monroe Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.81 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Monroe
Residential water service in Monroe, TN is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 4 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Monroe, Tennessee (population ~2,006), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 22,205 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Monroe — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Monroe: C (63/100)
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
Monroe water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Monroe
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38573 | C | NORTH OVERTON UTILITY DISTRICT | 4,729 |
All ZIP Codes in Monroe
- 38573 [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.
CDC Health Data for Monroe
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 Monroe'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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Monroe sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1983 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Monroe 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.
Monroe: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Homeowners in Monroe are working with a moderate equity share for documented remediation — the commitment deserves a line in the household budget, not dismissal.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Monroe. The estimated $800–$2,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 34% below the Tennessee average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Monroe
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 50% of Monroe stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Monroe
A low NFIP claim count in Monroe suggests that flood events — when they occur — have been limited in extent. That pattern matters for water quality in a specific way: the mechanisms through which flooding degrades drinking water (treatment plants taking in heavily contaminated floodwater, septic and well systems backing up, distribution pipes experiencing pressure inversions) are all stress-threshold events. They become relevant when floods are frequent enough or severe enough to overwhelm normal infrastructure. At the volume this area shows, that threshold has rarely been approached.
Monroe has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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>$1,600</strong> remediation cost per household.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Monroe
- 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 50% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Monroe, TN