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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 38549 Water Quality & Testing Report

Byrdstown, TN · Pickett County County · Updated for 2026

Sahajul HaqueCompiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records
Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 38549 (Byrdstown, TN)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 38549 (Byrdstown, TN) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (63/100) due to 4 health violation(s) and 4.0 ppb lead. While treated by Byrdstown Water Department, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

4

Total Violations

13

Lead Risk

Moderate

Contaminants

1

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 8 unresolved violations. Contact Byrdstown Water Department for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 38549

Tap water in ZIP code 38549 (Byrdstown, TN) is distributed by Byrdstown Water Department (EPA ID: TN0000088), serving approximately 8,428 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 63/100.

Water System

Byrdstown Water Department

EPA ID: TN0000088

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

8,428 residents

County

Pickett County County, Tennessee

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Lead Levels in ZIP 38549

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 4.0 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 38549 is 4.0 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.

Lead exposure risk in 38549 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 36% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
4.00 ppb (0.004 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Moderate
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

36%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Hard8 GPG · 137 mg/L

Water in ZIP 38549 is Hard (137 mg/L / 8 GPG). Residents may notice white mineral spots on glassware, reduced soap efficiency, and mineral scale on faucets and showerheads.

Recommendation: An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

8 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

137 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Interactive Water Safety & Filter Matcher

Personalized for ZIP 38549 (Byrdstown, TN)

Free Tool

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Byrdstown Water Department · PWSID: TN0000088

Verify on EPA.gov
📋

Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Byrdstown Water Department has recorded 4 health-based violations out of 13 total violations over the past 5 years. 8 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
13
Health-Based Violations
4
Unresolved Violations
8
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM).

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Moderate potential

Zone 2
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

3.14%

EPA Radon Zone 2 — moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 38549

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 38549 served by Byrdstown Water Department can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in TN for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 38549 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide →
⚗️

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 38549 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 38549?+
Tap water in 38549 (Byrdstown, TN) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 38549 (Byrdstown, TN)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 38549, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in TN. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 38549?+
Tap water in 38549 is classified as Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 137 mg/L (8 GPG). An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Should I test private well water in 38549?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 38549 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 38549 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 38549 is 4.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 38549?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 38549. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 38549?+
Tap water in ZIP code 38549 is provided by Byrdstown Water Department (EPA ID: TN0000088), serving approximately 8,428 residents.
What water filter should I use in 38549?+
Based on water metrics for 38549, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Chemical Contaminants), NSF/ANSI 42 (Aesthetic Effects).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 38549 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Byrdstown Water Department. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →