Falls Church, VA Water Safety: 64/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Falls Church, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for VA.
How Falls Church Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Falls Church, VA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Falls Church score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Falls Church Water
- Homes built before 1986: 76% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,920 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.76.
Who Supplies Your Water in Falls Church
Residential water service in Falls Church, VA is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 4 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Falls Church, Virginia (population ~122,171), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 1,498,453 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Falls Church — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Falls Church: C (64/100)
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
Falls Church water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Falls Church
- 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): 6 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22040 | C | ARLINGTON COUNTY | 215,000 |
| 22041 | C | FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | 1,121,613 |
| 22042 | C | FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | 1,121,613 |
| 22043 | C | ARLINGTON COUNTY | 215,000 |
| 22044 | C | ARLINGTON COUNTY | 215,000 |
| 22046 | C | ARLINGTON COUNTY | 215,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Falls Church
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 Falls Church
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 Falls Church
With 76% 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
The lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Falls Church, where the median build year is 1968, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Falls Church 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Falls Church Homeowners
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Falls Church, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Falls Church are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,280–$2,740 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 127% above the Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Falls Church
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.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Falls Church. 76% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Falls Church
Although Falls Church's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 248 claims and FEMA maps place 83% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Falls Church has a moderate flood history with 248 FEMA claims averaging $9,187 per payout. 83% 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>$1,920</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 Falls Church
- 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 76% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Falls Church, VA