Norfolk, VA: 24 Violations — 89/100 (2026)
24 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Norfolk's tap water quality puts it in VA's upper tier — health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Norfolk Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Norfolk, VA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Norfolk's 24 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Norfolk Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 24 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.004 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,571 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.04 — above typical levels.
Norfolk's Water Providers
Residential water service in Norfolk, VA is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 6 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 24 ZIP codes in Norfolk, Virginia (population ~235,037), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 736,045 people region-wide.
24 of 24 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Norfolk: A (89/100)
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
Norfolk water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0040 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): 23 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 25 | 24 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23501 | A | 1 | 0 | City of Norfolk, |
| 23502 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Norfolk, |
| 23503 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Norfolk, |
| 23504 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Norfolk, |
| 23505 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Norfolk, |
| 23506 | A | 1 | 0 | City of Norfolk, |
| 23507 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Norfolk, |
| 23508 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Norfolk, |
| 23509 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Norfolk, |
| 23510 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Norfolk, |
All ZIP Codes in Norfolk
- 23501 [A] — 1 violation
- 23502 [B] — 1 violation
- 23503 [B] — 1 violation
- 23504 [B] — 1 violation
- 23505 [B] — 1 violation
- 23506 [A] — 1 violation
- 23507 [B] — 1 violation
- 23508 [B] — 1 violation
- 23509 [B] — 1 violation
- 23510 [B] — 1 violation
- 23511 [A] — 1 violation
- 23512 [A] — 1 violation
- 23513 [A] — 1 violation
- 23514 [A] — 1 violation
- 23515 [A] — 1 violation
- 23517 [A] — 1 violation
- 23518 [B] — 1 violation
- 23519 [A] — 1 violation
- 23520 [A] — 1 violation
- 23521 [A] — 1 violation
- 23523 [A] — 1 violation
- 23529 [A] — 1 violation
- 23541 [A] — 1 violation
- 23551 [A] — 1 violation
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.
Norfolk 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 Norfolk's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Norfolk
In Norfolk, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity — the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Norfolk are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,048–$2,233 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 11% below the Virginia average.
Norfolk: 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.
Lead risk in Norfolk appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Norfolk: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Measured against the full NFIP dataset, Norfolk's flood record stands out: 6012 claims accumulated over decades and 63% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated boundaries add up to a high-exposure profile where water infrastructure has faced recurrent stress.
Norfolk has a significant flood history with 6,012 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $11,431 per claim. With 63% 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>$1,571</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 Norfolk, VA