Jewell Ridge, VA: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Jewell Ridge, VA: water systems collectively below average — violations documented.
How Jewell Ridge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Jewell Ridge Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 73% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.22 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Jewell Ridge
2 independent water providers serve Jewell Ridge, VA — 2 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Jewell Ridge, Virginia (population ~606), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 7,208 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Jewell Ridge — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Jewell Ridge: D (40/100)
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
Jewell Ridge water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Jewell Ridge
- 0 ZIP codes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24622 | D | RICHLANDS, TOWN OF | 4,564 |
All ZIP Codes in Jewell Ridge
- 24622 [D]
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.
CDC Health Data for Jewell Ridge
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 Jewell Ridge's Housing Stock?
With 73% 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
Because the majority of Jewell Ridge's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1976 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Jewell Ridge 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.
Jewell Ridge: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property equity in Jewell Ridge sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Jewell Ridge. The estimated $800–$1,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 75% below the Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Jewell Ridge
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 73% pre-rule share in Jewell Ridge keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Jewell Ridge
- 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 73% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Jewell Ridge, VA