Chesapeake, VA Water Safety: 87/100 (2026)
9 ZIP codes · 11 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water monitoring in Chesapeake shows a safety record well above the VA median — health-based violations are isolated exceptions rather than recurring patterns, the city's systems have stayed compliant across recent reporting cycles, and no cluster of recurring exceedances appears in any single service area.
How Chesapeake Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Chesapeake, VA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Chesapeake.
Chesapeake Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0009 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.85 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Chesapeake
3 independent water providers serve Chesapeake, VA — 11 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 9 ZIP codes in Chesapeake, Virginia (population ~251,477), covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 1,041,554 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Chesapeake — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Chesapeake: A (87/100)
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
Chesapeake water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0009 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 9 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23320 | B | City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys | 165,240 |
| 23321 | A | City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys | 165,240 |
| 23322 | B | City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys | 165,240 |
| 23323 | B | City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys | 165,240 |
| 23324 | A | City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys | 165,240 |
| 23325 | A | City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys | 165,240 |
| 23326 | A | City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys | 165,240 |
| 23327 | A | City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys | 165,240 |
| 23328 | A | City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys | 165,240 |
All ZIP Codes in Chesapeake
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 Chesapeake
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 Chesapeake's Housing Stock?
With 50% 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
When a city's housing median build year is 1985, as in Chesapeake, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.
Over half of homes in Chesapeake 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.
Chesapeake: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Chesapeake lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Chesapeake are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 12% above the Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Chesapeake
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.
After the federal action removing lead-bearing solder from new plumbing took effect, building practice shifted — but 50% of the Chesapeake inventory predates that line. With aggregate samples near or beyond 0.015 mg/L, an in-home check moves out of the optional column into the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Chesapeake
FEMA data places 67% of Chesapeake's ZIP codes inside designated flood zones, and the NFIP claim record confirms the real-world impact: 2637 filed claims representing decades of documented flood events with consequences for property and, at sufficient severity, for local water infrastructure.
Chesapeake has a significant flood history with 2,637 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $9,527 per claim. With 67% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$1,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Chesapeake, VA