Chincoteague Island, VA Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-04
Safe water is the norm across most of Chincoteague Island, VA — but documented violations push the city to the middle safety tier.
How Chincoteague Island Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Chincoteague Island Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 62% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.51 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Chincoteague Island
A single dominant system supplies most of Chincoteague Island, VA. That utility controls infrastructure decisions, rate structures, and EPA compliance reporting for most residential addresses served across those 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Chincoteague Island, Virginia, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,323 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Chincoteague Island — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Chincoteague Island: C (55/100)
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
Chincoteague Island water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Chincoteague Island
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23336 | C | TRAILS END | 495 |
All ZIP Codes in Chincoteague Island
- 23336 [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 Chincoteague Island
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 Chincoteague Island's Housing Stock?
With 62% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Chincoteague Island's housing stock carries a median build year of 1970. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Chincoteague Island 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.
Chincoteague Island: Remediation Cost in Perspective
At current valuations, Chincoteague Island sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Chincoteague Island are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 4% above the Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Chincoteague Island
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 Chincoteague Island, where 62% 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Chincoteague Island
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Chincoteague Island falls in moderate-exposure territory — 298 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.
Chincoteague Island has a moderate flood history with 298 FEMA claims averaging $5,318 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>$1,200</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.
What You Can Do in Chincoteague Island
- 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 62% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Chincoteague Island, VA