Alexandria, VA Water Safety: 82/100 (2026)
23 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to statewide averages in VA, Alexandria scores well — health violations are below the norm and systems generally operate within federal standards.
How Alexandria Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Alexandria, VA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Alexandria.
Alexandria Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.004 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 69% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,568 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.14.
Water Systems Serving Alexandria
Residential addresses in Alexandria, VA are served by 3 primary water providers out of 4 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 23 ZIP codes in Alexandria, Virginia (population ~344,502), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 1,283,703 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Alexandria — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Alexandria: B (82/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Alexandria water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0040 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 9 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 14 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22301 | A | ALEXANDRIA, CITY OF | 159,200 |
| 22302 | A | FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | 1,121,613 |
| 22303 | C | FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | 1,121,613 |
| 22304 | A | FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | 1,121,613 |
| 22305 | A | ALEXANDRIA, CITY OF | 159,200 |
| 22306 | C | FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | 1,121,613 |
| 22307 | C | Tauxemont | 250 |
| 22308 | C | Tauxemont | 250 |
| 22309 | C | FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | 1,121,613 |
| 22310 | C | FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | 1,121,613 |
All ZIP Codes in Alexandria
- 22301 [A]
- 22302 [A]
- 22303 [C]
- 22304 [A]
- 22305 [A]
- 22306 [C]
- 22307 [C]
- 22308 [C]
- 22309 [C]
- 22310 [C]
- 22311 [C]
- 22312 [C]
- 22313 [A]
- 22314 [A]
- 22315 [C]
- 22320 [A]
- 22321 [A]
- 22331 [A]
- 22332 [A]
- 22333 [A]
- 22334 [A]
- 22336 [A]
- 22350 [A]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Alexandria
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Old Is Alexandria's Housing Stock?
With 69% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Alexandria's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1974 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Alexandria were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Alexandria: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Alexandria market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Alexandria are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,032–$2,295 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 101% above the Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Alexandria
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
69% of Alexandria housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Alexandria
Because Alexandria's NFIP claim count reaches 1007 and 65% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA-designated flood zones, flood exposure here operates differently than it does in lower-claim communities. In areas with isolated flood events, water-quality infrastructure can typically absorb the stress and recover between events. In communities with repeated high-volume flooding, treatment plants face recurring overload conditions, private wells in FEMA-designated zones accumulate repeated infiltration episodes, and distribution systems experience repeated pressure events that can drive backflow. The claim record for this area points to that second category: a flood environment where water infrastructure stress is periodic and documented, not theoretical.
Alexandria has a significant flood history with 1,007 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $8,665 per claim. With 65% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,568</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Alexandria, VA