Elk Creek, VA Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water compliance in Elk Creek falls below the VA baseline — elevated violation rates are on record.
How Elk Creek Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Elk Creek Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 67% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.1 — above typical levels.
Elk Creek's Water Providers
Elk Creek, VA is covered by 2 major water utilities out of 2 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Elk Creek, Virginia (population ~642), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,455 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Elk Creek — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Elk Creek: D (53/100)
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
Elk Creek water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Elk Creek
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24326 | D | INDEPENDENCE, TOWN OF | 971 |
All ZIP Codes in Elk Creek
- 24326 [D]
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.
Elk Creek 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
Elk Creek Infrastructure Age
With 67% 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, Elk Creek's housing stock carries a median build year of 1977. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Elk Creek 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Elk Creek
At current valuations, Elk Creek sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Elk Creek are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 50% below the Virginia average.
Elk Creek: 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.
When older housing represents 67% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Elk Creek address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Elk Creek
- 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 67% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Elk Creek, VA