Ararat, VA Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike better-scoring cities in VA, Ararat records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its service areas — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Ararat Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Ararat Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 68% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.34 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Ararat
A single utility carries the primary residential water load in Ararat, VA — the dominant provider across 1 federally tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ararat, Virginia, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,461 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Ararat — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ararat: D (53/100)
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
Ararat water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Ararat
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24053 | D | OLDE MILL GOLF COURSE | 300 |
All ZIP Codes in Ararat
- 24053 [D]
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 Ararat
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 Ararat's Housing Stock?
With 68% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Ararat, where the median build year is 1974, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Ararat 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.
Ararat: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property equity in Ararat runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Ararat are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 49% below the Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ararat
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 68% of Ararat stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Ararat
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 68% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ararat, VA