Harborton, VA Water Safety: 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike higher-rated cities in VA, Harborton carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Harborton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Harborton Water
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.51 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Harborton
One utility dominates residential water service in Harborton, VA — out of 1 system in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Harborton, Virginia (population ~87), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,525 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Harborton — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Harborton: C (65/100)
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
Harborton water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Harborton
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23389 | C | ONANCOCK, TOWN OF | 1,525 |
All ZIP Codes in Harborton
- 23389 [C]
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 Harborton
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
Flood & Climate Risk in Harborton
Flood history in Harborton spans 16 NFIP claims and 100% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Harborton has a moderate flood history with 16 FEMA claims averaging $4,195 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>$1,200</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 Harborton
- 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Harborton, VA