Mc Gaheysville, VA: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water data for Mc Gaheysville, VA shows a low safety grade — health-based violations appear across a meaningful share of service areas in current EPA records.
How Mc Gaheysville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Mc Gaheysville Water
- Homes built before 1986: 35% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.27 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Mc Gaheysville
Mc Gaheysville, VA draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 3 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mc Gaheysville, Virginia (population ~5,231), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 22,901 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Mc Gaheysville — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mc Gaheysville: D (53/100)
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
Mc Gaheysville water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Mc Gaheysville
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22840 | D | Three Springs Regional - Rcpw | 14,834 |
All ZIP Codes in Mc Gaheysville
- 22840 [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.
Health Outcomes in Mc Gaheysville
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 Mc Gaheysville
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
Some cities skew heavily toward one construction era; Mc Gaheysville does not. The median build year of 1995 reflects a housing stock where older and newer homes share the market in meaningful proportions. That mixed profile means the city carries moderate aggregate plumbing-era risk — with older homes, particularly those built before 1986, representing the portion of the stock where lead-soldered joints may still be present.
Most homes in Mc Gaheysville 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Mc Gaheysville Homeowners
Remediation costs in Mc Gaheysville are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Mc Gaheysville 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 13% above the Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Mc Gaheysville
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 35% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Mc Gaheysville.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Mc Gaheysville
FEMA data shows 100% of Mc Gaheysville's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 6 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Mc Gaheysville has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $5,394 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>$2,400</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 Mc Gaheysville
- 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 35% 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 Mc Gaheysville, VA