Buckingham County, Virginia
7 ZIP codes · Avg score 50/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
The latest EPA cycle for Buckingham County covers 7 ZIP codes and shows a low safety grade — systemic compliance gaps have persisted over multiple reporting periods, and the county has not moved out of the bottom tier in recent years.
How Buckingham County Compares
How Buckingham County Compares
Buckingham County scores 16 points below the Virginia state average (66/100) and 18 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Buckingham County, Virginia
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15 (asthma 11%, diabetes 15.5%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $939, driven primarily by sea_level
Infrastructure: 0.314% avg pipe failure probability
48.9% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2023–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Buckingham County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 12 violations. Past 5 years: 24 total (24 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $939
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
6,495 housing units in Buckingham County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Buckingham County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Buckingham County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Buckingham County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 4 systems in Buckingham County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buckingham Company Water System | 5,759 | 7 |
| 2 | GOLD HILL VILLAGE | 22 | 2 |
| 3 | Saint Thomas Aquinas Seminary | 150 | 1 |
| 4 | Rustburg Correctional Unit #9 | 142 | 1 |
All ZIP Codes in Buckingham County
7 ZIP codes tracked in Buckingham County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23936 | Dillwyn | 66 | C | 1 | $173K |
| 2 | 23123 | New Canton | 65 | C | 2 | $159K |
| 3 | 24562 | Howardsville | 53 | D | 0 | $286K |
| 4 | 23921 | Buckingham | 44 | D | 7 (6 health) | $205K |
| 5 | 23004 | Arvonia | 40 | D | 0 | $124K |
| 6 | 23027 | Cartersville | 40 | D | 0 | $245K |
| 7 | 24599 | Wingina | 40 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Buckingham County
Methodologically, the recommendation order reflects severity in the federal record: contaminants flagged in EPA detection records for this county outrank generic water concerns, FEMA-confirmed hazard ratings shift emergency-related categories upward, and CDC lead-exposure markers govern when lead-test kits and certified filters appear at the top of the list.
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Buckingham County, Virginia
Overview
Buckingham County in Virginia covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (50/100).
3 of 7 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Virginia water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.
What You Can Do
Buckingham County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
48.9% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.