Chester, VA Water Safety: 69/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
While Chester avoids VA's lowest safety tiers, a portion of its water systems have logged documented violations.
How Chester Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Chester Water
- Homes built before 1986: 35% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.43 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Chester
3 independent water providers serve Chester, VA — 3 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Chester, Virginia (population ~51,710), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 778,492 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Chester — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Chester: C (69/100)
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
Chester water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Chester
- 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): 2 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23831 | C | CHESTERFIELD CO CENTRAL WATER SYSTEM | 389,897 |
| 23836 | B | CHESTERFIELD CO CENTRAL WATER SYSTEM | 389,897 |
All ZIP Codes in Chester
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 Chester
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 Chester
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Housing age is a practical proxy for plumbing risk because federal standards changed in 1986, when lead solder was banned from new residential construction, and again earlier — before 1970, lead pipes were themselves commonly installed. Chester's median build year of 1996 sits in the range where both pre- and post-1986 homes are well represented. The bar chart above reflects that mixed picture: the distribution captures pockets of older housing alongside more recent development, and those pockets carry real lead risk potential at the individual property level.
Most homes in Chester were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Chester Homeowners
At current valuations, Chester sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Chester are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 8% above the Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Chester
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.
Older stock in Chester represents 35% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Chester
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Chester falls in moderate-exposure territory — 25 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Chester has a moderate flood history with 25 FEMA claims averaging $7,897 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>$1,700</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 Chester
- 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 35% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Chester, VA