Clifton, VA Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Clifton, EPA compliance data for VA sits at a moderate level — not alarming, but not uniformly clean across all service areas either.
How Clifton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Clifton Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 39% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.75.
Clifton's Water Providers
2 water utilities share the residential service territory in Clifton, VA — out of 2 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Clifton, Virginia (population ~14,557), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,164,309 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Clifton — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Clifton: 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
Clifton water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Clifton
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20124 | C | FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | 1,121,613 |
All ZIP Codes in Clifton
- 20124 [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.
Clifton Community Health Snapshot
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
Clifton Infrastructure Age
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
For a city with a median build year of 1981, Clifton carries a housing profile that straddles the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in plumbing. Neither predominantly new nor predominantly old, the stock presents a moderate aggregate risk environment — with individual risk varying sharply depending on when and where a specific home was built.
Most homes in Clifton 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Clifton
When remediation costs are measured against Clifton home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier — addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in Clifton are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 178% above the Virginia average.
Clifton: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 39% of Clifton stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Clifton: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood history in Clifton spans 15 NFIP claims and 100% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Clifton has a moderate flood history with 15 FEMA claims averaging $5,275 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>$2,200</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 Clifton
- 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 39% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Clifton, VA