Health Violations Found TN 4 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Byrdstown Water Department

EPA ID: TN0000088 · 8,428 people served · 4 ZIP codes

Current EPA status: Byrdstown Water Department, 8 open violations, 8,428 people served.

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

C · 58
Avg Safety Score
8,428
People Served
4
ZIP Codes Served
13
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.00405 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
5
Contaminants Flagged
$147K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 1 (2022) to 4 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$44,819
Median Household Income
19,994
Service Area Population
97%
Disadvantaged Population
77th
Poverty Percentile
85th
Energy Burden Percentile
52%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Byrdstown Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $44,819 and an estimated 19,994 residents across its service area. Approximately 52% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 97% 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?

Surface Water

Byrdstown Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
3th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
10th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Pickett 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

46 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
24 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 66% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Byrdstown Water Department compares to EPA limits

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 5 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects

What This Means For You

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 2 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 →

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Tennessee

0 violations
B 1 violation
Old Knoxville Hwy U.d.
8,296 people
D 0 violations
A 0 violations
Erin Water Department
8,239 people
B 2 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Water Filtration Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $300
Flood Insurance $300
PFAS Treatment $250
Total Estimated Cost $1,250

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:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

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

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,250 (one-time) vs. $10,330 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

Byrdstown Water Department (EPA ID: TN0000088) is a community water system in Tennessee that serves approximately 8,428 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (58/100)

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

Violation History

4 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 8 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2025 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Unresolved
October 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
January 31, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 5 Yes
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 5 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No

Health Risk Details

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L)

Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water, people who frequently shower in chlorinated water.

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
38549 0.00405 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 Filter

Free 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 Byrdstown Water Department (TN0000088) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Byrdstown Water Department water safe to drink?

Byrdstown Water Department has recorded 4 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Byrdstown Water Department serve?

Byrdstown Water Department serves approximately 8,428 people across 4 ZIP codes in Tennessee.

Where does Byrdstown Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

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
87
Detections
1
Latest sample
8/12/2025
Highest analyte
PFBA: 13 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBA 13 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:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
3,389
Confirmed Non-Lead

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.

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: 8,658
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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Byrdstown Water Department safe to drink?
Byrdstown Water Department has a C safety grade based on 13 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Byrdstown Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Surface Water Treatment Rule, Lead and Copper Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Byrdstown Water Department serve?
Byrdstown Water Department serves approximately 8,428 people with drinking water across 4 ZIP codes.
What is Byrdstown Water Department's water source?
Byrdstown Water Department draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Byrdstown Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00405 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Byrdstown Water Department's service area?
The Byrdstown Water Department service area has a median household income of $44,819. EPA EJScreen data classifies 97% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Byrdstown Water Department get its water?
Byrdstown Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Byrdstown Water Department (EPA ID: TN0000088) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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