Water System Report VA

Caroline Utility System

EPA ID: VA6033085 · 4,235 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Unlike many utilities its size, Caroline Utility System carries a violation-free five-year record — no EPA notices, no MCL exceedances, serving 4,235 people.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

B · 81
Avg Safety Score
4,235
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.002 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
0
Contaminants Flagged
$355K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Caroline Utility System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$99,373
Median Household Income
22,241
Service Area Population
9%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
50th
Energy Burden Percentile
37%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Caroline Utility System serves a community with a median household income of $99,373 and an estimated 22,241 residents across its service area.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Caroline Utility System's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
47th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Caroline County, Virginia rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

31 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
39 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 44% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 4 detections recorded.

State limits: PFOA: 0.012 ppt, PFOS: 0.012 ppt, PFBS: 0.14 ppt, HFPO-DA: 0.08 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Virginia

Bealeton Regional
4,250 people
C 0 violations
D 0 violations
Stanley, Town of
4,185 people
C 7 violations
Mount Hermon
4,145 people
D 0 violations
Broadway, Town of
4,015 people
D 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,200
PFAS Treatment $500
Total Estimated Cost $1,700

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,700 (one-time) vs. $330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

CAROLINE UTILITY SYSTEM (EPA ID: VA6033085) is a community water system in Virginia that serves approximately 4,235 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: B (81/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
22546 0.002 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 2 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Caroline Utility System (VA6033085) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Caroline Utility System water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Caroline Utility System has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Caroline Utility System serve?

Caroline Utility System serves approximately 4,235 people across 3 ZIP codes in Virginia.

Where does Caroline Utility System get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
290
Detections
2
Latest sample
12/18/2024
Highest analyte
PFHxS: 3.2 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFHxS 3.2 ppt 10 ppt Below current MCL

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
2,103
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 4,235
Reported to Virginia

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Caroline Utility System safe to drink?
Caroline Utility System earns a B safety grade with 0 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
Should I use a water filter?
Caroline Utility System meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Caroline Utility System serve?
Caroline Utility System serves approximately 4,235 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Caroline Utility System's water source?
Caroline Utility System draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Caroline Utility System's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.002 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Caroline Utility System's service area?
The Caroline Utility System service area has a median household income of $99,373. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Caroline Utility System get its water?
Caroline Utility System's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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