CITY REPORT VA

Newport News, VA Home Safety: Home Safety Score unavailable

10 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated

Data: EPA SDWIS

10
ZIP Codes
2
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
Zone 3
Radon Risk (Low)
$243K
Median Home Value
$2,700
Est. Remediation (1.1% of home value)

Key Facts for Newport News Residents

  • Average lead level: 0.0003 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 63% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 13.02 - above typical levels.

Newport News's Water Providers

Multiple utilities divide Newport News, VA's water service - 2 leading providers among 2 on the federal register.

Overview

We track home safety data for 10 ZIP codes in Newport News, Virginia (population ~182,786), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 424,200 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 7 of 10 ZIP codes.

The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 7 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.

Water Sources

Newport News water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0003 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 of 7 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

  • Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
  • Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
  • Zone 3 (Low): 10 ZIP codes

Areas with No Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score System Population
23601 City of Newport News, 407,300
23602 City of Newport News, 407,300
23603 City of Newport News, 407,300
23605 City of Newport News, 407,300
23606 City of Newport News, 407,300
23607 City of Newport News, 407,300
23608 City of Newport News, 407,300

All ZIP Codes in Newport News

Data Sources

Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.

Newport News Community Health Snapshot

11.3%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
13%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
17.4%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 11.3% ↑
Diabetes 13% ↑
Mental Health 17.4% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Newport News Infrastructure Age

1976
Median Build Year
63%
Built Before 1986
21%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 63% 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

Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Newport News - it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1976 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.

1976
Median Year Built
63%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
21%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (21%) 1970–1986 (42%) Post-1986 (37%)

Over half of homes in Newport News 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.

How Remediation Costs Compare in Newport News

Property equity in Newport News 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.

Median Home Value
$243,300
Est. Remediation
$2,700
Remediation as % of home value 1.1%

Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Newport News. The estimated $1,800–$3,640 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 22% below the Virginia average.

Newport News: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

63%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0003
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 63% of Newport News stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Newport News: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

1,238
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$26,390
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
38%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Newport News contains 1,238 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $26,390. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 38% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

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. The <strong>$2,700</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Newport News water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Newport News is 0.0003 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Newport News?
Newport News is served by 2 public water systems across 10 ZIP codes, serving approximately 182,786 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Newport News?
Estimated remediation costs in Newport News average $2,700 per household, ranging from $1,800 to $3,640. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
HomeCitiesVirginia → Newport News, VA

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Newport News, VA Home Safety: Home Safety Score unavailable. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/va/newport-news/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-va-newport-news,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Newport News, VA Home Safety: Home Safety Score unavailable}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/va/newport-news/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

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