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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 22844 Water Quality & Testing Report

New Market, VA · Shenandoah County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 22844 (New Market, VA)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 22844 (New Market, VA) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (40/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 26.0 ppb lead. While treated by New Market, Town of, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

0

Lead Risk

Very High

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 22844

Tap water in ZIP code 22844 (New Market, VA) is distributed by New Market, Town of (EPA ID: VA2171600), serving approximately 2,274 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of D with a composite quality score of 40/100.

Water System

New Market, Town of

EPA ID: VA2171600

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

2,274 residents

County

Shenandoah County County, Virginia

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Lead Levels in ZIP 22844

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 26.0 ppb — EXCEEDS EPA Action Level

The 90th percentile lead level in 22844 is 26.0 ppb, which EXCEEDS the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Immediate action is recommended. Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter or bottled water for drinking and cooking.

Lead exposure risk in 22844 is rated Very High. EPA models estimate a 71% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
26.00 ppb (0.026 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Very High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

71%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Moderately Hard3.6 GPG · 62 mg/L

Water in ZIP 22844 is Moderately Hard (62 mg/L / 3.6 GPG). It contains beneficial natural minerals like calcium and magnesium without causing heavy scale accumulation.

Recommendation: A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

3.6 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

62 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Low / Moderate

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: New Market, Town of · PWSID: VA2171600

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

New Market, Town of has recorded zero violations in the EPA compliance database over the past 5 years.

Total Violations (5 yr)
0
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Low

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Low based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 22844 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$3
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

3.26%

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 22844

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 22844 served by New Market, Town of can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Virginia Department of Health.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in VA for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 22844 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact New Market, Town of to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide →
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
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NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 22844 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 22844?+
Tap water in 22844 has a below-average safety grade of D due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 22844 (New Market, VA)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 22844, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in VA. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Virginia Department of Health for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 22844?+
Tap water in 22844 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 62 mg/L (3.6 GPG). A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Should I test private well water in 22844?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 22844 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 22844 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 22844 is 26.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This exceeds the action level — a certified lead-reducing filter is recommended.
Is there an active boil water notice in 22844?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 22844. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 22844?+
Tap water in ZIP code 22844 is provided by New Market, Town of (EPA ID: VA2171600), serving approximately 2,274 residents.
What water filter should I use in 22844?+
Based on water metrics for 22844, we recommend Lead & Microplastic Filter. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead Reduction), NSF/ANSI 42 (Particulate/Taste).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 22844 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by New Market, Town of. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →