Red Oak, VA Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water quality in Red Oak has lagged behind VA benchmarks — documented violations keep the safety grade low.
How Red Oak Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Red Oak Water
- Homes built before 1986: 59% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.03 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Red Oak
As of current federal records, Red Oak, 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 Red Oak, Virginia, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 967 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Red Oak — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Red Oak: 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
Red Oak water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Red Oak
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23964 | D | SCOTTSBURG , TOWN OF | 360 |
All ZIP Codes in Red Oak
- 23964 [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 Red Oak
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 Red Oak
With 59% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Red Oak's housing stock carries a median build year of 1972. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Red Oak 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 Red Oak Homeowners
In Red Oak, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Red Oak are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 59% below the Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Red Oak
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.
When older housing represents 59% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Red Oak address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Red Oak
- 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 59% 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 Red Oak, VA