Forest, VA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Forest Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0099 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 30% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.87 - above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Forest
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Forest, VA - out of 3 total systems in federal records.
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 lead level (90th percentile): 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
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
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
Forest's residential inventory spans multiple construction eras, with the median build year of 1994 landing in a zone where pre- and post-1986 homes are both well represented. That split matters because homes built before 1986 may contain lead-soldered copper joints - a plumbing practice banned that year - while those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line. Whether a specific household sits on the older or newer end of this distribution is the primary variable shaping its individual exposure risk.
Most homes in Forest 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.
Forest: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Forest, 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 Forest are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 10% above the Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Forest
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.
30% - that captures the slice of Forest stock built before federal rules removed lead-bearing solder from new construction. Combined with system samples below the regulatory action mark, the picture points to a quiet baseline, with one-home draws as the only direct read on a specific address.
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. 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Forest, VA