Fairfax, VA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety 50/100
9 ZIP codes · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Fairfax: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
In recent EPA cycles, Fairfax shows a persistent below-average water quality pattern within VA - documented violations span multiple service areas and have appeared consistently across reporting periods.
How Fairfax Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Fairfax Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0012 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.63.
Water Systems Serving Fairfax
For most households in Fairfax, VA, tap water comes from one provider - the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 9 ZIP codes in Fairfax, Virginia (population ~165,289), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,121,613 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 5 of 9 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 5 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fairfax: D (50/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Fairfax water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0012 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 5 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 8 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 1 ZIP code
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22030 | — | Fairfax County Water Authority | 1,121,613 |
| 22031 | — | Fairfax County Water Authority | 1,121,613 |
| 22032 | D | Fairfax County Water Authority | 1,121,613 |
| 22033 | D | Fairfax County Water Authority | 1,121,613 |
| 22035 | — | Fairfax County Water Authority | 1,121,613 |
All ZIP Codes in Fairfax
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Fairfax
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
Fairfax: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When remediation costs are measured against Fairfax 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 Fairfax are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,213 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 127% above the Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Fairfax
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.
Lead risk in Fairfax appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Fairfax
Historical NFIP data for Fairfax contains 135 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $16,019. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 20% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Fairfax
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- 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 Fairfax, VA