Sunbright, TN Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Sunbright, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for TN.
How Sunbright Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Sunbright Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 63% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.4 — above typical levels.
Sunbright's Water Providers
Federal drinking water records identify 2 systems in Sunbright, TN. The leading 2 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Sunbright, Tennessee (population ~2,096), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 16,574 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Sunbright — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sunbright: 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
Sunbright water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Sunbright
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37872 | C | Huntsville Utility District | 12,516 |
All ZIP Codes in Sunbright
- 37872 [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.
Sunbright 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
Sunbright Infrastructure Age
With 63% 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
Sunbright's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1974 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Sunbright 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 Sunbright
Framing remediation within the Sunbright property picture, the equity share is elevated — homeowners here are navigating a financial decision that rewards structured thinking about scope and prioritization, where the cost-to-value ratio is high enough to make the difference between a planned approach and an unplanned one financially significant.
At 2.3% of home value, remediation costs in Sunbright represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,500–$4,100. Home values here are 46% below the Tennessee average.
Sunbright: 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.
63% of Sunbright housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Sunbright: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Sunbright accumulating 1 claim and carrying 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Sunbright has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $37,982 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>$2,700</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 Sunbright
- 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 63% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Sunbright, TN