Santa Fe, TN: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
A meaningful share of water systems in Santa Fe have recorded health-based violations in recent TN monitoring periods — placing the city in the lower tier for tap water safety.
How Santa Fe Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Santa Fe Water
- Homes built before 1986: 35% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.76 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Santa Fe
In Santa Fe, TN, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 4 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Santa Fe, Tennessee (population ~1,742), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 132,817 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Santa Fe — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Santa Fe: D (53/100)
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
Santa Fe water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Santa Fe
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38482 | D | Columbia Power and Water Systems | 84,617 |
All ZIP Codes in Santa Fe
- 38482 [D]
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 Santa Fe
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 Santa Fe
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
Two regulatory milestones define plumbing-era risk in residential housing: 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines, and 1986, when lead solder was banned from new copper plumbing. A median build year of 1992 places Santa Fe in the middle zone between those thresholds — with a meaningful share of housing predating both cutoffs. The distribution shown above breaks out those eras explicitly, clarifying where concentrated risk sits across the residential inventory.
Most homes in Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe Homeowners
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Santa Fe, 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 Santa Fe are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,900–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 37% above the Tennessee average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Santa Fe
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 35% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Santa Fe.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Santa Fe
FEMA data shows 100% of Santa Fe's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 2 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Santa Fe has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $14,809 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>$2,900</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 Santa Fe
- 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. With 35% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- 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 Santa Fe, TN