South Pittsburg, TN Water Safety: 78/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across South Pittsburg, EPA monitoring data shows low violation rates and healthy safety margins — a pattern that places the city well above TN's average for drinking water compliance across recent reporting cycles.
How South Pittsburg Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
South Pittsburg Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 60% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.75 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving South Pittsburg
Structurally, South Pittsburg, TN's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 5 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in South Pittsburg, Tennessee (population ~6,604), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 28,435 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in South Pittsburg — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for South Pittsburg: 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
South Pittsburg water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37380 | B | South Pittsburg Water System | 7,304 |
All ZIP Codes in South Pittsburg
- 37380 [B]
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.
CDC Health Data for South Pittsburg
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 Old Is South Pittsburg's Housing Stock?
With 60% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, South Pittsburg's housing stock carries a median build year of 1988. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in South Pittsburg 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.
South Pittsburg: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Middle of the range — South Pittsburg homeowners face a remediation share that calls for real financial attention without reaching crisis territory.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in South Pittsburg. The estimated $1,100–$3,400 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 17% below the Tennessee average.
Protecting Children from Lead in South Pittsburg
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 60% pre-rule share in South Pittsburg keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for South Pittsburg
Within the NFIP's national dataset, South Pittsburg falls in moderate-exposure territory — 46 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
South Pittsburg has a moderate flood history with 46 FEMA claims averaging $14,514 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>$2,100</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 South Pittsburg, TN