Worst Infrastructure: Washington DC Metro

Out of 74 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in the Washington DC metro area, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	74
Highest risk	NaN%
Median risk	NaN%
Average risk	NaN%

Top 74 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	20001	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
2	20002	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
3	20003	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
4	20004	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
5	20005	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
6	20006	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
7	20007	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
8	20008	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
9	20009	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
10	20010	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
11	20011	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
12	20012	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
13	20015	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
14	20016	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
15	20017	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
16	20018	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
17	20019	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
18	20020	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
19	20024	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
20	20032	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
21	20036	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
22	20037	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
23	20052	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
24	20057	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
25	20059	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
26	20064	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
27	20240	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
28	20260	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
29	20317	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
30	20319	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
31	20388	Washington Navy Yard	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
32	20415	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
33	20422	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
34	20542	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
35	20566	Washington	DC	NaN%	Unknown	—
36	20744	Fort Washington	MD	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
37	20814	Bethesda	MD	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
38	20816	Bethesda	MD	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
39	20817	Bethesda	MD	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
40	20880	Washington Grove	MD	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
41	20889	Bethesda	MD	NaN%	Unknown	—
42	20901	Silver Spring	MD	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
43	20902	Silver Spring	MD	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
44	20903	Silver Spring	MD	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
45	20904	Silver Spring	MD	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
46	20905	Silver Spring	MD	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
47	20906	Silver Spring	MD	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
48	20910	Silver Spring	MD	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
49	21034	Darlington	MD	NaN%	Unknown	—
50	22201	Arlington	VA	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
51	22202	Arlington	VA	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
52	22203	Arlington	VA	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
53	22204	Arlington	VA	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
54	22205	Arlington	VA	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
55	22206	Arlington	VA	NaN%	Unknown	67/100
56	22207	Arlington	VA	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
57	22209	Arlington	VA	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
58	22213	Arlington	VA	NaN%	Unknown	83/100
59	22301	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	—
60	22302	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	—
61	22303	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	50/100
62	22304	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	—
63	22305	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	—
64	22306	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	50/100
65	22307	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	50/100
66	22308	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	50/100
67	22309	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	50/100
68	22310	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	50/100
69	22311	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	50/100
70	22312	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	50/100
71	22314	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	—
72	22315	Alexandria	VA	NaN%	Unknown	50/100
73	22747	Washington	VA	NaN%	Unknown	—
74	26181	Washington	WV	NaN%	Unknown	61/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-08-31.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.

Worst Infrastructure: Washington DC Metro — 2026