Richmond, VA: 195 Violations - 88/100 (2026)
39 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Richmond: A.
No federal data flags a major home-safety concern for this ZIP.
Public water monitoring in Richmond shows a safety record well above the VA median - health-based violations are isolated exceptions rather than recurring patterns, the city's systems have stayed compliant across recent reporting cycles, and no cluster of recurring exceedances appears in any single service area.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
What You Should Know About Richmond Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 195 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0036 mg/L.
Water Quality in Richmond
We track water quality and home safety data for 39 ZIP codes in Richmond, Virginia (population ~404,093), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 951,230 people region-wide.
39 of 39 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 195 total, including no health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: A (88/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 117 | 39 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 78 | 39 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0036 mg/L
- 75% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 27% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1964
- Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 57/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 22%
- 13 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 75% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Richmond residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
183,684 total housing units across 39 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 34,093 | 19% |
| 1940–1949 | 12,547 | 7% |
| 1950–1959 | 23,474 | 13% |
| 1960–1969 | 22,066 | 12% |
| 1970–1979 | 26,361 | 14% |
| 1980–1989 | 22,460 | 12% |
| 1990–1999 | 14,347 | 8% |
| 2000–2009 | 14,430 | 8% |
| 2010–2019 | 12,968 | 7% |
| 2020+ | 938 | 1% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Richmond:
- 744 flood insurance claims on record
- $14,260,551 total paid out
- $19,167 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
- 9 of 39 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 35 ZIP codes
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23232 | 95/100 | A | 5 |
| 23241 | 95/100 | A | 5 |
| 23249 | 95/100 | A | 5 |
| 23250 | 95/100 | A | 5 |
| 23269 | 95/100 | A | 5 |
| 23274 | 95/100 | A | 5 |
| 23276 | 95/100 | A | 5 |
| 23278 | 95/100 | A | 5 |
| 23279 | 95/100 | A | 5 |
| 23282 | 95/100 | A | 5 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23237 | 61/100 | C | 5 |
| 23236 | 61/100 | C | 5 |
| 23297 | 62/100 | C | 5 |
| 23240 | 66/100 | C | 5 |
| 23226 | 81/100 | B | 5 |
| 23225 | 81/100 | B | 5 |
| 23224 | 81/100 | B | 5 |
| 23223 | 81/100 | B | 5 |
| 23219 | 81/100 | B | 5 |
| 23260 | 86/100 | A | 5 |
What Richmond Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Richmond has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Richmond
- 23218 [A] - 5 violations
- 23219 [B] - 5 violations
- 23220 [A] - 5 violations
- 23221 [A] - 5 violations
- 23222 [A] - 5 violations
- 23223 [B] - 5 violations
- 23224 [B] - 5 violations
- 23225 [B] - 5 violations
- 23226 [B] - 5 violations
- 23227 [A] - 5 violations
- 23230 [A] - 5 violations
- 23232 [A] - 5 violations
- 23234 [A] - 5 violations
- 23235 [A] - 5 violations
- 23236 [C] - 5 violations
- 23237 [C] - 5 violations
- 23240 [C] - 5 violations
- 23241 [A] - 5 violations
- 23249 [A] - 5 violations
- 23250 [A] - 5 violations
- 23260 [A] - 5 violations
- 23261 [A] - 5 violations
- 23269 [A] - 5 violations
- 23274 [A] - 5 violations
- 23276 [A] - 5 violations
- 23278 [A] - 5 violations
- 23279 [A] - 5 violations
- 23282 [A] - 5 violations
- 23284 [A] - 5 violations
- 23285 [A] - 5 violations
- 23286 [A] - 5 violations
- 23289 [A] - 5 violations
- 23290 [A] - 5 violations
- 23291 [A] - 5 violations
- 23292 [A] - 5 violations
- 23293 [A] - 5 violations
- 23295 [A] - 5 violations
- 23297 [C] - 5 violations
- 23298 [A] - 5 violations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Richmond, VA?
Richmond has an average Home Safety Score of 88/100 (grade A) across 39 ZIP codes. There are 195 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Richmond have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Richmond is 0.0036 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 75% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Richmond at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 744 flood insurance claims in Richmond ZIP codes, with an average payout of $19,167. 9 of 39 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Richmond homes?
75% of Richmond housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 27% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 22%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Richmond water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM). Across 39 ZIP codes, 39 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Housing & Infrastructure in Richmond
Median build year of 1964 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The median home in Richmond was built in 1964, after the federal ban on lead solder in plumbing. Most of the housing stock postdates that cutoff, placing typical plumbing risk on the lower end - though any home built before 1986 still warrants individual testing.
Most homes in Richmond were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Richmond
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 Richmond 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Richmond
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Richmond shows 744 claims and 0% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones - figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding - contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow - move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Richmond has a moderate flood history with 744 FEMA claims. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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.
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 Richmond, VA