Newport News, VA: 20 Violations — 88/100 (2026)
10 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Tap water monitoring data for Newport News shows a consistently clean picture in VA — few violations on record, compliance well above the median.
How Newport News Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Water Quality Map: Newport News, VA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Newport News's 10 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Newport News Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 20 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0005 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 — 3 leading providers among 5 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 10 ZIP codes in Newport News, Virginia (population ~182,786), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 424,729 people region-wide.
10 of 10 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Newport News: A (88/100)
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
Newport News water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0005 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes 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
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 11 | 10 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 11 | 10 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23601 | B | 2 | 0 | City of Newport News, |
| 23602 | B | 2 | 0 | City of Newport News, |
| 23603 | A | 2 | 0 | City of Newport News, |
| 23605 | B | 2 | 0 | City of Newport News, |
| 23606 | A | 2 | 0 | City of Newport News, |
| 23607 | B | 2 | 0 | City of Newport News, |
| 23608 | B | 2 | 0 | City of Newport News, |
| 23609 | A | 2 | 0 | City of Newport News, |
| 23612 | A | 2 | 0 | City of Newport News, |
| 23628 | A | 2 | 0 | City of Newport News, |
All ZIP Codes in Newport News
- 23601 [B] — 2 violations
- 23602 [B] — 2 violations
- 23603 [A] — 2 violations
- 23605 [B] — 2 violations
- 23606 [A] — 2 violations
- 23607 [B] — 2 violations
- 23608 [B] — 2 violations
- 23609 [A] — 2 violations
- 23612 [A] — 2 violations
- 23628 [A] — 2 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.
Newport News Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Newport News's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Newport News Infrastructure Age
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.
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.
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
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: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood claims in Newport News number 1237 under the NFIP, and 80% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA-designated zones — together reflecting a community where flooding is a recurring, significant feature of the local risk environment with direct implications for periodic water supply safety.
Newport News has a significant flood history with 1,237 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $14,877 per claim. With 80% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Newport News, VA