Loretto, VA Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike higher-rated cities in VA, Loretto carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Loretto Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Loretto Water
- Homes built before 1986: 100% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 16.33 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Loretto
For most households in Loretto, VA, tap water comes from one provider — the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Loretto, Virginia (population ~102), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,875 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Loretto — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Loretto: C (66/100)
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
Loretto water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Loretto
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22509 | C | COLONIAL BEACH, TOWN OF | 3,875 |
All ZIP Codes in Loretto
- 22509 [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 Loretto
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Loretto
With 100% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Loretto is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1976 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Loretto 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.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Loretto
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 100% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Loretto.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Loretto
- 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 100% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Loretto, VA