Sterling, VA: High Radon Risk — 49/100 (2026)
5 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Sterling, water quality data indicates below-average safety by VA standards — independent testing is a reasonable precaution for residents whose systems show active violations.
How Sterling Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Sterling, VA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Sterling.
Sterling Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 31% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,560 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.74.
Water Systems Serving Sterling
Across Sterling, VA, residential water comes from 2 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 2 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Sterling, Virginia (population ~90,758), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,456,421 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Sterling — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sterling: D (49/100)
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
Sterling water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Sterling
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 1 ZIP code
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20163 | D | FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | 1,121,613 |
| 20164 | D | FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | 1,121,613 |
| 20165 | D | FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | 1,121,613 |
| 20166 | C | LOUDOUN WATER - CENTRAL SYSTEM | 334,808 |
| 20167 | D | FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | 1,121,613 |
All ZIP Codes in Sterling
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.
CDC Health Data for Sterling
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
How Old Is Sterling's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Roughly balanced between older and newer construction, Sterling shows a median build year of 1996 — a mid-range figure that places meaningful amounts of the residential inventory on both sides of the 1986 federal plumbing-solder ban.
Most homes in Sterling 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.
Sterling: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Because property values in Sterling comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Sterling are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,640–$3,560 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 84% above the Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Sterling
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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 31% of Sterling homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Sterling
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Sterling shows 68 claims and 80% 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.
Sterling has a moderate flood history with 68 FEMA claims averaging $15,776 per payout. 80% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. 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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,560</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.
What You Can Do in Sterling
- 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 31% 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 Sterling, VA