Chatham, VA: High Radon Risk — 62/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compliance figures for Chatham indicate average water quality in VA overall — some service areas have recorded health-based violations in recent monitoring cycles, while others operate cleanly, making system-level data the most actionable reference point for residents.
How Chatham Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Chatham Water
- Homes built before 1986: 68% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.59 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Chatham
3 independent water providers serve Chatham, VA — 6 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Chatham, Virginia, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 9,107 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Chatham — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Chatham: 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
Chatham water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Chatham
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24531 | C | Chatham, Town of | 2,500 |
All ZIP Codes in Chatham
- 24531 [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 Chatham
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 Chatham
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
Because the majority of Chatham's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1977 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Chatham 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 Chatham Homeowners
Within the Chatham property market, documented remediation claims a moderate slice of typical equity — real but budgetable.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Chatham. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 52% below the Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Chatham
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.
Routinely in Chatham, where 68% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Chatham
Flood insurance records under FEMA's NFIP show limited historical flood activity for Chatham. Understanding where a community falls on the exposure spectrum matters for water quality assessment because flooding operates as a compounding hazard: during significant flood events, treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, private wells can be infiltrated by surface runoff, and pressure changes in distribution systems can allow backflow of contaminated water. None of those mechanisms are absent here, but they require event conditions that the current NFIP record suggests have been infrequent.
Chatham has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Chatham
- 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Chatham, VA