Water System Report TN

Columbia Power and Water Systems

EPA ID: TN0000128 · 84,617 people served · 8 ZIP codes

From the earliest to the most recent cycle in the five-year EPA window, Columbia Power and Water Systems has logged zero violations — no MCL exceedances, no health advisories, and no enforcement activity across the entire period for the 84,617 people in its service area, a record that stands up well against both state and national benchmarks.

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

B · 72
Avg Safety Score
84,617
People Served
8
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.001 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
0
Contaminants Flagged
$305K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 4 (2022) to 2 (2023). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Columbia Power and Water Systems Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$71,829
Median Household Income
134,612
Service Area Population
29%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
41%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Columbia Power and Water Systems serves a community with a median household income of $71,829 and an estimated 134,612 residents across its service area. Approximately 41% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Columbia Power and Water Systems'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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Maury 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

38 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
31 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 55% 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. 29 detections recorded. 8 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 8 exceed state limits.

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

Hallsdale-powell U.d.
84,315 people
C 3 violations
C 0 violations
Madison Suburban U.d.
81,203 people
D 1 violation
Jackson Water System
91,111 people
C 4 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $1,138
PFAS Treatment $488
Radon Mitigation $300
Total Estimated Cost $1,925

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 $1,925 (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

Columbia Power and Water Systems (EPA ID: TN0000128) is a community water system in Tennessee that serves approximately 84,617 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 8 ZIP codes across 7 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: B (72/100)

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
38401 0.001 mg/L No N/A
38402 0.001 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: 7 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 Columbia Power and Water Systems (TN0000128) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbia Power and Water Systems water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Columbia Power and Water Systems serve?

Columbia Power and Water Systems serves approximately 84,617 people across 8 ZIP codes in Tennessee.

Where does Columbia Power and Water Systems 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
116
Detections
1
Latest sample
7/19/2023
Highest analyte
PFHxA: 3.2 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFHxA 3.2 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
25,652
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: 84,617
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 Columbia Power and Water Systems safe to drink?
Columbia Power and Water Systems earns a B safety grade with 0 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
Should I use a water filter?
Columbia Power and Water Systems meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Columbia Power and Water Systems serve?
Columbia Power and Water Systems serves approximately 84,617 people with drinking water across 8 ZIP codes.
What is Columbia Power and Water Systems's water source?
Columbia Power and Water Systems draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Columbia Power and Water Systems's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.001 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Columbia Power and Water Systems's service area?
The Columbia Power and Water Systems service area has a median household income of $71,829. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Columbia Power and Water Systems get its water?
Columbia Power and Water Systems'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 available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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