Oakland, TN Water Safety: 95/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems in Oakland, TN serve households with few reported safety events.
How Oakland Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Oakland Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 14% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.41 — above typical levels.
Oakland's Water Providers
Residential addresses in Oakland, TN are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 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 Oakland, Tennessee (population ~12,360), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 19,977 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Oakland — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Oakland: A (95/100)
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
Oakland water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0002 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)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38060 | A | Oakland Water Department | 14,957 |
All ZIP Codes in Oakland
- 38060 [A]
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.
Oakland Community Health Snapshot
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
Oakland Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Why does housing age matter for water safety? Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — a practice banned that year. Oakland's median build year of 2006 places much of the city's housing in the post-ban era, reducing that specific risk pathway for most residents.
Most homes in Oakland were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Oakland
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Oakland, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Oakland are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 31% above the Tennessee average.
Oakland: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Generally, the structural picture for Oakland runs in a quiet direction. Aggregate sampling rests under the federal action benchmark, and 14% of housing comes from the pre-rule era — a contained local footprint. That dual signal keeps lead in the background of local concerns, while a one-faucet measurement still answers a different question than any system average can: what is actually flowing from one specific tap on a given morning.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Oakland: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
FEMA data shows 100% of Oakland's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 8 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Oakland has a moderate flood history with 8 FEMA claims averaging $22,079 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>$1,800</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 Oakland, TN