Ooltewah, TN Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Ooltewah's water quality grade in TN reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Ooltewah Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Ooltewah Water
- Homes built before 1986: 23% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.52 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Ooltewah
Water delivery in Ooltewah, 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 Ooltewah, Tennessee (population ~40,830), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 300,009 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Ooltewah — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ooltewah: 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
Ooltewah water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Ooltewah
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37363 | C | TENNESSEE AMERICAN WATER | 211,499 |
All ZIP Codes in Ooltewah
- 37363 [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.
Health Outcomes in Ooltewah
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Ooltewah
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
Newer construction dominates Ooltewah's residential inventory, as reflected in a median build year of 2007. The practical implication is that lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — a pre-1986 standard now federally prohibited — are an exception rather than the rule in this city, though they remain present in the older fraction of the housing stock.
Most homes in Ooltewah 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Ooltewah Homeowners
In Ooltewah, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Ooltewah are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 56% above the Tennessee average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Ooltewah
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 citywide aggregate readings pass cleanly and just 23% of Ooltewah housing comes from the pre-rule era, the difference between what utilities sample and what arrives at one specific faucet remains a structural feature of how monitoring works. Households with kids in the home can find a certified lead-removal filter and a draw-test kit through retailer-verified channels. That step is independent of system-level data.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Ooltewah
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Ooltewah has accumulated 6 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Ooltewah has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $13,059 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>$2,200</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 Ooltewah
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ooltewah, TN