Worst Infrastructure: Washington DC Metro

Out of 334 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	334
Highest risk	81%
Median risk	37%
Average risk	38%

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	20317	Washington	DC	81%	Very High	69/100
2	20015	Washington	DC	74%	Very High	67/100
3	20007	Washington	DC	72%	Very High	62/100
4	20010	Washington	DC	72%	Very High	67/100
5	20011	Washington	DC	72%	Very High	67/100
6	20012	Washington	DC	72%	Very High	67/100
7	20008	Washington	DC	71%	Very High	67/100
8	20009	Washington	DC	71%	Very High	67/100
9	20016	Washington	DC	71%	Very High	67/100
10	20017	Washington	DC	70%	Very High	67/100
11	20018	Washington	DC	69%	Very High	67/100
12	20006	Washington	DC	68%	Very High	72/100
13	20036	Washington	DC	68%	Very High	72/100
14	20019	Washington	DC	67%	Very High	62/100
15	20020	Washington	DC	67%	Very High	67/100
16	20002	Washington	DC	66%	Very High	67/100
17	20032	Washington	DC	65%	Very High	72/100
18	20005	Washington	DC	63%	Very High	72/100
19	20003	Washington	DC	61%	Very High	72/100
20	20001	Washington	DC	60%	High	67/100
21	20037	Washington	DC	60%	High	72/100
22	20024	Washington	DC	59%	High	72/100
23	20052	Washington	DC	58%	High	69/100
24	22747	Washington	VA	53%	High	77/100
25	20004	Washington	DC	47%	High	72/100
26	20880	Washington Grove	MD	47%	High	40/100
27	22205	Arlington	VA	47%	High	77/100
28	20901	Silver Spring	MD	42%	High	57/100
29	22206	Arlington	VA	42%	High	77/100
30	22207	Arlington	VA	42%	High	72/100
31	22204	Arlington	VA	41%	High	77/100
32	20059	Washington	DC	40%	Moderate	69/100
33	20816	Bethesda	MD	40%	Moderate	65/100
34	22301	Alexandria	VA	40%	Moderate	85/100
35	22307	Alexandria	VA	40%	Moderate	60/100
36	26181	Washington	WV	40%	Moderate	81/100
37	22302	Alexandria	VA	39%	Moderate	90/100
38	21034	Darlington	MD	38%	Moderate	62/100
39	22308	Alexandria	VA	38%	Moderate	65/100
40	20013	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
41	20022	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
42	20023	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
43	20026	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
44	20027	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	72/100
45	20029	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
46	20030	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
47	20033	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
48	20035	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
49	20038	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
50	20039	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
51	20040	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
52	20041	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
53	20042	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
54	20043	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
55	20044	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
56	20045	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
57	20046	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
58	20047	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
59	20049	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
60	20050	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
61	20051	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
62	20053	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
63	20055	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
64	20056	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
65	20057	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
66	20058	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
67	20060	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
68	20061	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
69	20062	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
70	20063	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
71	20064	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
72	20065	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
73	20066	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
74	20067	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
75	20068	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
76	20069	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
77	20070	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
78	20071	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
79	20073	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
80	20074	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
81	20075	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
82	20076	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
83	20077	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
84	20078	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
85	20080	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
86	20081	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
87	20082	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
88	20088	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
89	20090	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
90	20091	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
91	20097	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
92	20098	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
93	20201	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
94	20202	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
95	20203	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
96	20204	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
97	20206	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
98	20207	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
99	20208	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100
100	20210	Washington	DC	37%	Moderate	69/100

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: 2026-06-04.

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