Ripley, TN: 1 Violation — 78/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities in Ripley have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods — the city's above-average grade in TN reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Ripley Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Ripley Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0019 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 55% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.23 — above typical levels.
Ripley's Water Providers
Federal records list 7 water systems tied to Ripley, TN. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ripley, Tennessee (population ~15,947), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 38,853 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ripley: B (78/100)
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
Ripley water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0019 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)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 1920 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38063 | B | 1 | 0 | Lauderdale Company Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Ripley
- 38063 [B] — 1 violation
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.
Ripley 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
What's in Ripley's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Ripley Infrastructure Age
With 55% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Ripley — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1987 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Ripley 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Ripley
In Ripley, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Ripley are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 38% below the Tennessee average.
Ripley: 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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Ripley have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 55% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Ripley: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Ripley shows 280 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Ripley has a moderate flood history with 280 FEMA claims averaging $14,611 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>$1,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ripley, TN