CITY REPORT VA

Fries, VA: 3 Violations — 82/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Drinking water tracked for Fries by VA authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.

How Fries Compares

Fries82/100
Virginia avg66/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
3
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
B · 82
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)
$117K
Median Home Value
$2,900
Est. Remediation (2.5% of home value)

What You Should Know About Fries Water

  • Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.0001 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 81% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 16.45 — above typical levels.

Who Supplies Your Water in Fries

3 water systems are tracked federally in Fries, VA. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.

City of Galax,
Serves ~6,837 people · 3 violations
82
/100
INDEPENDENCE, TOWN OF
Serves ~971 people · 3 violations
82
/100
Fries, Town of
Serves ~484 people · 3 violations
82
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Fries, Virginia (population ~2,870), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 8,292 people region-wide.

1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Fries: B (82/100)

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

Fries water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0001 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 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.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Contaminant 1017 Other 2 1
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 2 1
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
24330 B 3 0 Fries, Town of

All ZIP Codes in Fries

  • 24330 [B] — 3 violations

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Health Outcomes in Fries

11.1%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
15.9%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
17.8%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 11.1% ↑
Diabetes 15.9% ↑
Mental Health 17.8% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Top Contaminants in Fries Water

Contaminant 1017 2 violations
Other
Lead and Copper Rule 2 violations
Treatment Technique
Developmental delays in children, kidney damage
Revised Total Coliform Rule 2 violations
Microbiological
Indicates possible bacterial contamination

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

Housing & Infrastructure in Fries

1967
Median Build Year
81%
Built Before 1986
47%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 81% 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

For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Fries, the median build year of 1967 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.

1967
Median Year Built
81%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
47%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (47%) 1970–1986 (34%) Post-1986 (19%)

Over half of homes in Fries 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 Fries Homeowners

What should Fries property owners understand before approaching remediation at this cost-to-value tier? That the equity share is elevated enough to treat this as a formal financial decision — one where knowing the full scope and prioritizing documented issues by urgency shape the outcome more than any single variable, given where this market falls on the remediation-share scale.

Median Home Value
$116,800
Est. Remediation
$2,900
Remediation as % of home value 2.5%

At 2.5% of home value, remediation costs in Fries represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,800–$4,800. Home values here are 63% below the Virginia average.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Fries

81%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0001
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

If 81% of the Fries inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Flood & Climate Risk in Fries

Flood activity in Fries is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 1-claim record and 100% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.

1
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$73,731
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones

Fries has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $73,731 per payout. 100% 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>$2,900</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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Fries, VA?
Fries has an average water safety score of 82/100 (Grade B). 3 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Fries have?
Fries water systems have a total of 3 EPA violations. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does Fries water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Fries is 0.0001 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Fries compare to Virginia average?
Fries has an average water safety score of 82/100, which is above the Virginia state average of 66/100.
How many water systems serve Fries?
Fries is served by 3 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 2,870 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Fries?
Estimated remediation costs in Fries average $2,900 per household, ranging from $1,800 to $4,800. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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