Piney Flats, TN: High Radon Risk — 47/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike better-scoring cities in TN, Piney Flats records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its service areas — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Piney Flats Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Piney Flats Residents
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.7 — above typical levels.
Piney Flats's Water Providers
Water delivery in Piney Flats, TN is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 7 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 2 ZIP codes in Piney Flats, Tennessee (population ~9,149), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 281,793 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Piney Flats — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Piney Flats: D (47/100)
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
Piney Flats water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Piney Flats
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37686 | D | KINGSPORT WATER DEPT | 106,765 |
| 37699 | D | BLUFF CITY WATER DEPARTMENT | 2,763 |
All ZIP Codes in Piney Flats
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.
Piney Flats 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
How Remediation Costs Compare in Piney Flats
For most homeowners in Piney Flats, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Piney Flats are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 37% above the Tennessee average.
Piney Flats: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood risk in Piney Flats occupies the middle ground: 1 NFIP claim and 50% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Piney Flats has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $2,283 per payout. 50% 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.
What You Can Do in Piney Flats
- 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.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Piney Flats, TN