Cheriton, VA Water Safety: 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring cities in VA, Cheriton lands in the middle tier — some water systems meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and performance can vary significantly across service areas.
How Cheriton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Cheriton Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 54% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.23 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Cheriton
Water service in Cheriton, VA is organized around a single utility — one of 1 tracked by regulator, and the one that manages the local distribution network while holding primary responsibility for EPA compliance reporting.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cheriton, Virginia, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 71 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Cheriton — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cheriton: C (65/100)
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
Cheriton water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Cheriton
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23316 | C | ARLINGTON PLANTATION | 45 |
All ZIP Codes in Cheriton
- 23316 [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.
CDC Health Data for Cheriton
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 Cheriton's Housing Stock?
With 54% 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
The median home in Cheriton was built in 1987 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Cheriton 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.
Cheriton: Remediation Cost in Perspective
For most homeowners in Cheriton, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Cheriton are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% below the Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Cheriton
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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 54% of Cheriton homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Cheriton
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Cheriton shows 11 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Cheriton has a moderate flood history with 11 FEMA claims averaging $21,762 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>$1,800</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 Cheriton
- 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 54% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cheriton, VA