New Castle, VA: 1 Health Violation — 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, New Castle, VA reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How New Castle Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About New Castle Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0056 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 56% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.94 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in New Castle
As of current federal records, New Castle, VA is served primarily by one water utility among 1 tracked system. That single provider handles infrastructure investment, rate adjustments, and regulatory reporting under EPA oversight.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in New Castle, Virginia, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 4,184 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for New Castle: C (55/100)
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
New Castle water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0056 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24127 | C | 4 | 1 | Craig-new Castle Psa |
All ZIP Codes in New Castle
- 24127 [C] — 4 violations ⚠
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 New Castle
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
Top Contaminants in New Castle Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in New Castle
With 56% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. New Castle's median build year of 1988 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in New Castle 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 New Castle Homeowners
Property equity in New Castle 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 New Castle. The estimated $1,750–$3,900 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 43% below the Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in New Castle
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.
Older stock in New Castle represents 56% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in New Castle
Measured across the NFIP's multi-decade tracking period, New Castle shows a moderate flood record — 89 claims and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone status. For water quality, that combination matters because flood events at this frequency can periodically stress infrastructure: treatment plants, private wells, and distribution systems all face elevated risk during significant flooding.
New Castle has a moderate flood history with 89 FEMA claims averaging $12,819 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>$2,700</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 New Castle
- 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. Filters rated for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in New Castle's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 56% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for New Castle, VA