Bergton, VA: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
The latest EPA cycle for Bergton shows a low safety grade within VA — compliance gaps have persisted over multiple reporting periods, and the city currently holds a low grade in available EPA data.
How Bergton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Bergton Water
- Homes built before 1986: 90% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.27 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Bergton
For most households in Bergton, VA, tap water comes from one provider — the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bergton, Virginia (population ~394), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,963 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Bergton — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bergton: 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
Bergton water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Bergton
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22811 | D | TIMBERVILLE, TOWN OF | 2,963 |
All ZIP Codes in Bergton
- 22811 [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.
Health Outcomes in Bergton
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Bergton
With 90% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Bergton is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1957 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Bergton 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Bergton Homeowners
Across the Bergton housing market, the estimated remediation share lands in a middle tier — not a minor footnote, but not a prohibitive burden either; the cost-to-value ratio reflects a moderate equity commitment, one that sits above routine maintenance territory and warrants a dedicated line in the household budget.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Bergton. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 42% below the Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Bergton
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 90% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Bergton.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Bergton
FEMA data shows 100% of Bergton's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 5 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Bergton has a moderate flood history with 5 FEMA claims averaging $13,052 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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>$2,400</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.
What You Can Do in Bergton
- 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 90% 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 Bergton, VA