Oak Ridge, TN: 4 Health Violations - Home Safety 50/100
2 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Oak Ridge: D.
Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.
Averaged across its ZIP codes, the Home Safety Score for Oak Ridge, TN falls into the bottom two grade bands.
How Oak Ridge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Oak Ridge Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 47 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0023 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,100 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 15.48.
Oak Ridge's Water Providers
The 3 largest of 5 systems connected with Oak Ridge, TN are listed below.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (population ~32,519), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 127,251 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 2 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Oak Ridge: D (50/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Oak Ridge water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0023 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
2 of 2 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 24 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 14 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 14 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 1 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 8 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37830 | D | 47 | 4 | Cumberland Utility District |
All ZIP Codes in Oak Ridge
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.
Oak Ridge Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
What's in Oak Ridge's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Oak Ridge
How large is the remediation estimate next to home prices in Oak Ridge? Small in relative terms: it amounts to 1% of the median value or less, although the dollar figure below is still an estimate and actual costs vary by property and contractor.
Estimated remediation costs in Oak Ridge can be compared with local home values. The $600–$2,300 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 5% above the Tennessee average.
Oak Ridge: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Available area-level lead records for Oak Ridge do not determine the lead level at an individual tap. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Oak Ridge: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Oak Ridge contains 10 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $8,447. 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 $1,100 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.
What You Can Do in Oak Ridge
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, listed in the water-quality records for Oak Ridge: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- Review your water system's CCR. If you use a community water system, request its annual Consumer Confidence Report for system-level test results or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Oak Ridge, TN