Piney River, VA Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Although conditions vary by service area, Piney River's water systems collectively show below-average compliance within VA — health-based violations are documented throughout the city, and the overall grade reflects a pattern rather than isolated incidents.
How Piney River Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Piney River Water
- Homes built before 1986: 85% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.07 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Piney River
Piney River, VA draws its water from one primary utility across 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Piney River, Virginia (population ~206), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,231 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Piney River — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Piney River: 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
Piney River water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Piney River
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22964 | D | AMHERST, TOWN OF | 2,231 |
All ZIP Codes in Piney River
- 22964 [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 Piney River
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 Piney River
With 85% 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
Piney River's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1966 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Piney River 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 Piney River Homeowners
Remediation costs in Piney River are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Piney River are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 28% above the Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Piney River
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Piney River — 85% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Piney River
- 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 85% 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 Piney River, VA