Worst Infrastructure: Virginia — 2026 Rankings

Out of 1,106 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Virginia, 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	1,106
Highest risk	68%
Median risk	36%
Average risk	37%
State	Virginia

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	22211	Fort Myer	VA	68%	Very High	66/100
2	23691	Yorktown	VA	68%	Very High	99/100
3	23943	Hampden Sydney	VA	68%	Very High	53/100
4	22646	Millwood	VA	67%	Very High	53/100
5	22743	Syria	VA	67%	Very High	63/100
6	23651	Fort Monroe	VA	66%	Very High	99/100
7	23708	Portsmouth	VA	66%	Very High	99/100
8	24415	Brownsburg	VA	66%	Very High	66/100
9	24301	Pulaski	VA	63%	Very High	61/100
10	20184	Upperville	VA	62%	Very High	53/100
11	23401	Keller	VA	62%	Very High	66/100
12	24476	Steeles Tavern	VA	62%	Very High	40/100
13	24604	Bishop	VA	62%	Very High	53/100
14	23045	Diggs	VA	61%	Very High	60/100
15	23056	Foster	VA	61%	Very High	65/100
16	23163	Susan	VA	61%	Very High	60/100
17	23408	Marionville	VA	59%	High	73/100
18	24239	Davenport	VA	59%	High	63/100
19	24282	Saint Charles	VA	59%	High	45/100
20	23359	Hallwood	VA	57%	High	73/100
21	24058	Belspring	VA	57%	High	53/100
22	22948	Locust Dale	VA	56%	High	53/100
23	23221	Richmond	VA	56%	High	91/100
24	23480	Wachapreague	VA	56%	High	65/100
25	24168	Stanleytown	VA	56%	High	53/100
26	22730	Oakpark	VA	55%	High	53/100
27	23879	Skippers	VA	55%	High	73/100
28	24131	Paint Bank	VA	55%	High	53/100
29	22824	Edinburg	VA	54%	High	60/100
30	23304	Battery Park	VA	54%	High	73/100
31	23416	Oak Hall	VA	54%	High	73/100
32	23424	Rescue	VA	54%	High	70/100
33	23431	Smithfield	VA	54%	High	95/100
34	24011	Roanoke	VA	54%	High	62/100
35	24013	Roanoke	VA	54%	High	57/100
36	22747	Washington	VA	53%	High	77/100
37	22831	Hinton	VA	53%	High	45/100
38	24015	Roanoke	VA	53%	High	57/100
39	24089	Fieldale	VA	53%	High	40/100
40	24216	Appalachia	VA	53%	High	78/100
41	24606	Boissevain	VA	53%	High	53/100
42	22627	Flint Hill	VA	52%	High	63/100
43	22644	Maurertown	VA	52%	High	45/100
44	22811	Bergton	VA	52%	High	53/100
45	23066	Gwynn	VA	52%	High	60/100
46	23707	Portsmouth	VA	52%	High	80/100
47	23868	Lawrenceville	VA	52%	High	60/100
48	24474	Selma	VA	52%	High	53/100
49	22301	Alexandria	VA	51%	High	85/100
50	22943	Greenwood	VA	51%	High	77/100
51	23219	Richmond	VA	51%	High	81/100
52	23222	Richmond	VA	51%	High	86/100
53	23955	Nottoway	VA	51%	High	40/100
54	24016	Roanoke	VA	51%	High	57/100
55	24272	Nora	VA	51%	High	63/100
56	24422	Clifton Forge	VA	51%	High	59/100
57	24471	Port Republic	VA	51%	High	45/100
58	20191	Reston	VA	50%	High	45/100
59	22307	Alexandria	VA	50%	High	60/100
60	22548	Sharps	VA	50%	High	66/100
61	22664	Woodstock	VA	50%	High	47/100
62	23025	Cardinal	VA	50%	High	65/100
63	23220	Richmond	VA	50%	High	91/100
64	23843	Dolphin	VA	50%	High	66/100
65	23976	Wylliesburg	VA	50%	High	53/100
66	24093	Glen Lyn	VA	50%	High	62/100
67	24129	New River	VA	50%	High	40/100
68	24322	Cripple Creek	VA	50%	High	53/100
69	24412	Bacova	VA	50%	High	40/100
70	24448	Iron Gate	VA	50%	High	70/100
71	24457	Low Moor	VA	50%	High	53/100
72	22151	Springfield	VA	49%	High	65/100
73	22302	Alexandria	VA	49%	High	90/100
74	22652	Fort Valley	VA	49%	High	40/100
75	22989	Woodberry Forest	VA	49%	High	83/100
76	23130	Onemo	VA	49%	High	60/100
77	23138	Port Haywood	VA	49%	High	55/100
78	23226	Richmond	VA	49%	High	81/100
79	23422	Pungoteague	VA	49%	High	65/100
80	23661	Hampton	VA	49%	High	79/100
81	23702	Portsmouth	VA	49%	High	85/100
82	24245	Dungannon	VA	49%	High	67/100
83	24465	Monterey	VA	49%	High	70/100
84	24504	Lynchburg	VA	49%	High	83/100
85	20143	Catharpin	VA	48%	High	63/100
86	20198	The Plains	VA	48%	High	53/100
87	22003	Annandale	VA	48%	High	65/100
88	22044	Falls Church	VA	48%	High	65/100
89	22509	Loretto	VA	48%	High	66/100
90	22611	Berryville	VA	48%	High	44/100
91	22722	Haywood	VA	48%	High	53/100
92	22727	Madison	VA	48%	High	55/100
93	22931	Covesville	VA	48%	High	53/100
94	22949	Lovingston	VA	48%	High	72/100
95	22964	Piney River	VA	48%	High	53/100
96	23062	Gloucester Point	VA	48%	High	65/100
97	23486	Willis Wharf	VA	48%	High	65/100
98	23488	Withams	VA	48%	High	73/100
99	23507	Norfolk	VA	48%	High	80/100
100	23704	Portsmouth	VA	48%	High	80/100

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: 2026-07-19.

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.