Big Sandy Water Department
EPA ID: TN0000051 · 1,170 people served · 2 ZIP codes
For the full five-year period covered by EPA monitoring, Big Sandy Water Department has supplied tap water to 1,170 residents with no violations of any type on record.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Big Sandy Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Big Sandy Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $38,436 and an estimated 3,306 residents across its service area. Approximately 57% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 80% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Big Sandy Water Department's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 1% of homes in Benton County, Tennessee rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Infrastructure Risk
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 7 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 2 exceed state limits.
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Tennessee
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Big Sandy Water Department (EPA ID: TN0000051) is a community water system in Tennessee that serves approximately 1,170 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (62/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38221 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by TN or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Big Sandy Water Department (TN0000051) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Big Sandy Water Department water safe to drink?
Based on EPA records, Big Sandy Water Department has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.
How many people does Big Sandy Water Department serve?
Big Sandy Water Department serves approximately 1,170 people across 2 ZIP codes in Tennessee.
Where does Big Sandy Water Department get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Big Sandy Water Department (EPA ID: TN0000051) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.