Forest, VA - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Forest Water: The Quick Version
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0099 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 30% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 13.87.
Water Systems Serving Forest
Because each listed system has its own federal record, violations at one of the 3 shown below do not apply to the others among the 3 tied to Forest, VA.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Forest, Virginia (population ~27,606), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 141,550 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Water Sources
Forest water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0099 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 2.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24551 | — | Bedford Regional Water Authority (brwa) | 38,794 |
All ZIP Codes in Forest
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 Forest
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Old Is Forest's Housing Stock?
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
Plumbing materials follow installation dates, not medians. Forest records a median build year of 1994, and a meaningful share of its homes date from before the 1986 federal lead restrictions.
Most homes in Forest were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Protecting Children from Lead in Forest
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures or solder, and census figures put that share of Forest housing at about 30%. The lead figure used here, an average of ZIP-level 90th-percentile results, sits under 0.010 mg/L. Neither number shows what flows from a particular family's faucet; a test of that faucet is the only direct measure.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Forest
Historical NFIP data for Forest contains 5 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $5,568. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% 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.
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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Forest, VA