Castlewood, VA: High Radon Risk — 62/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water data for Castlewood, VA reveals a split picture — tap water quality varies meaningfully by service area and the city's grade reflects that variability.
How Castlewood Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Castlewood Water
- Homes built before 1986: 64% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.29 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Castlewood
In Castlewood, VA, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 2 leading providers out of 2 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Castlewood, Virginia, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 5,330 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Castlewood — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Castlewood: C (62/100)
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
Castlewood water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Castlewood
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24224 | C | Castlewood - Rcpsa | 5,565 |
All ZIP Codes in Castlewood
- 24224 [C]
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 Castlewood
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 Castlewood
With 64% 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, Castlewood is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1973 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Castlewood 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 Castlewood Homeowners
The equity share of documented remediation in Castlewood is high — a cost-to-value ratio that places this market in the elevated tier and means most homeowners are weighing a financial decision where scoping by urgency, mapping costs against household budget, and knowing what assistance options exist are practical steps that can materially improve outcomes.
At 2.6% of home value, remediation costs in Castlewood represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,900–$4,100. Home values here are 64% below the Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Castlewood
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 64% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Castlewood.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Castlewood
Flood activity in Castlewood is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 2-claim record and 100% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Castlewood has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $1,952 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>$2,900</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 Castlewood
- 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 64% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Castlewood, VA