Water System Report TN

Brownsville Water Department

EPA ID: TN0000080 · 12,845 people served · 5 ZIP codes

Even as other utilities in the region logged violations, Brownsville Water Department kept a clean EPA record — five years, no issues, 12,845 people served.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

A · 85
Avg Safety Score
12,845
People Served
5
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0011 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
0
Contaminants Flagged
$130K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Brownsville Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade A

Service Area Demographics

$48,578
Median Household Income
38,538
Service Area Population
76%
Disadvantaged Population
78th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
56%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Brownsville Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $48,578 and an estimated 38,538 residents across its service area. Approximately 56% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 76% 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?

Groundwater

Brownsville 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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
56th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
42th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Crockett 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

47 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
23 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 67% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 5 detections recorded.

State limits: PFOA: 0.004 ppt, PFOS: 0.004 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Tennessee

Etowah Utilities
12,851 people
C 1 violation
A 1 violation
Bon Aqua-lyles U.d.
12,701 people
C 1 violation
B 0 violations
Hohenwald Water System
12,475 people
C 5 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,440
PFAS Treatment $200
Total Estimated Cost $1,640

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,640 (one-time) vs. $330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Brownsville Water Department (EPA ID: TN0000080) is a community water system in Tennessee that serves approximately 12,845 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 5 ZIP codes across 5 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: A (85/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
38012 0.0011 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 4 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Brownsville Water Department (TN0000080) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brownsville Water Department water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Brownsville Water Department has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Brownsville Water Department serve?

Brownsville Water Department serves approximately 12,845 people across 5 ZIP codes in Tennessee.

Where does Brownsville Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
116
Detections
1
Latest sample
10/16/2024
Highest analyte
PFHxA: 28 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFHxA 28 ppt

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

91
Confirmed Lead
2
Galvanized — Replacement Required
762
Unknown Material
4,718
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 12,845
Reported to Tennessee

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Brownsville Water Department safe to drink?
Brownsville Water Department earns a A safety grade with 0 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
Should I use a water filter?
Brownsville Water Department meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Brownsville Water Department serve?
Brownsville Water Department serves approximately 12,845 people with drinking water across 5 ZIP codes.
What is Brownsville Water Department's water source?
Brownsville Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Brownsville Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0011 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Brownsville Water Department's service area?
The Brownsville Water Department service area has a median household income of $48,578. EPA EJScreen data classifies 76% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Brownsville Water Department get its water?
Brownsville 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. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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