Townsend, TN: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 63/100
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Townsend: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Documented records place Townsend, TN in the middle grade tier.
How Townsend Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Townsend Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.004 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 36% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $300 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 14.55.
Who Supplies Your Water in Townsend
More than one public water system is linked to Townsend, TN: federal records tie 2 systems to the area, and the 2 with the largest reported service populations are shown below. Which of them supplies a particular address depends on where the property sits, and a water bill or the utility can confirm it.
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Townsend, Tennessee (population ~2,800), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 68,386 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Townsend: C (63/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Townsend water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0040 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 1 |
| Asbestos | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37882 | C | 12 | 1 | Tuckaleechee Utility District |
All ZIP Codes in Townsend
- 37882 [C] - 12 violations ⚠
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Townsend
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Townsend Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Townsend
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
When a home in Townsend was built matters for lead because federal rules adopted in 1986 limited how much lead new plumbing could contain; the local median build year is 1996. A median sits in the middle of a range, so some homes are older and some newer, and past repairs may have changed the pipes in either group. A plumber can identify the materials inside a home, and a lab test measures what reaches the tap.
Most homes in Townsend were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Townsend Homeowners
How large is the remediation estimate next to home prices in Townsend? Small in relative terms: it amounts to 1% of the median value or less, although the dollar figure below is still an estimate and actual costs vary by property and contractor.
Estimated remediation costs in Townsend can be compared with local home values. The $150–$600 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 31% above the Tennessee average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Townsend
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Townsend
Historical NFIP data for Townsend contains 7 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $16,556. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $300 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Townsend
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), listed in the water-quality records for Townsend: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 36% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Townsend, TN