Residents of Virginia Beach generally live with tap water that beats the VA safety average on key EPA compliance metrics.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Virginia Beach

We track water quality and home safety data for 20 ZIP codes in Virginia Beach, Virginia (population ~457,066), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 857,584 people region-wide.

No EPA violations have been recorded across any ZIP codes in Virginia Beach - an excellent indicator of water quality.

Average Home Safety Score: A (90/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L
• 56% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 4% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1984
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 37/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 17%
• 1 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 56% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Virginia Beach 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

189,951 total housing units across 20 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Virginia Beach:

• 6,259 flood insurance claims on record
• $103,078,014 total paid out
• $16,469 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
• 9 of 20 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 20 ZIP codes

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach

• 23450 [A]
• 23451 [B]
• 23452 [B]
• 23453 [B]
• 23454 [B]
• 23455 [B]
• 23456 [B]
• 23457 [A]
• 23458 [A]
• 23459 [A]
• 23460 [A]
• 23461 [A]
• 23462 [A]
• 23463 [A]
• 23464 [B]
• 23465 [A]
• 23466 [A]
• 23467 [A]
• 23471 [A]
• 23479 [A]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Virginia Beach, VA?

Virginia Beach has an average Home Safety Score of 90/100 (grade A) across 20 ZIP codes. No EPA violations have been recorded. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does Virginia Beach have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Virginia Beach is 0.0010 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 56% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Virginia Beach at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 6,259 flood insurance claims in Virginia Beach ZIP codes, with an average payout of $16,469. 9 of 20 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Virginia Beach homes?

56% of Virginia Beach housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 4% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 17%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

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 Age Profile

Housing age matters for water quality because lead solder was widely used in plumbing until the 1986 federal ban. Virginia Beach's median build year of 1984 suggests a majority of homes were constructed under the newer standard - a meaningful factor when assessing household-level lead risk from tap water.

1984

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach

0.001

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach

0% of ZIP codes in Virginia Beach are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 6259 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.

6,259

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~313

Est. Claims/Year

Virginia Beach has a moderate flood history with 6,259 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.