FAQ

Common questions.

Everything you need to know about VetMyAddress reports and data.

The Report

What does the overall grade mean?

The overall grade is the worst grade across all four categories. If air quality is A, water is A, flood risk is C, and pollution is B — the overall grade is C. This ensures nothing important gets averaged away.

How are the A–F grades calculated?

Each category uses its own grading logic based on federal thresholds. For air quality: A means AQI averaging under 50 with no unhealthy days. For water: A means zero violations in the past 5 years. For flood: A means Zone X (minimal hazard). For pollution: A means no Superfund sites within 3 miles and fewer than 50 regulated facilities.

What if my water system isn't matched?

EPA's water system boundary database doesn't cover every address — some rural or unincorporated areas aren't mapped. If we can't match your address to a public water system, the water section will say so and give you a direct link to search manually on EPA's site.

What does 'Superfund site' mean for my home?

A Superfund site is a location the EPA has identified as significantly contaminated with hazardous substances. Being near a Superfund site doesn't automatically mean your home is affected — it depends on the specific contaminants, cleanup stage, and groundwater flow. The report shows proximity and links to the site's EPA record so you can investigate further.

How current is the data?

Data is pulled live at the moment you generate your report. Air quality data is typically current to within hours. Water compliance and Superfund records update periodically as EPA receives new filings — typically quarterly. Flood maps are updated as FEMA revises panels, which can lag local development.

Payment & Access

What's free vs. paid?

The free preview shows your overall A–F environmental grade, the grade for each of the four categories, and a plain-English summary for the first (most serious) category. The paid report unlocks all findings, data points, action steps, and explanations for every section.

How does the 2-report bundle work?

The bundle unlocks your current report immediately and adds one report credit to your account tied to your email address. Use that credit any time on a future report — there's no expiration.

Do credits expire?

No. Bundle credits are tied to your email address and never expire.

Can I share my report?

Yes. Your report has a unique URL you can share with a spouse, agent, or anyone else involved in the decision. Anyone with the link can see the full report if it's been unlocked.

Data & Accuracy

Is this the same data environmental consultants use?

Yes. We source from the same federal databases — EPA ECHO, EPA SDWIS, EPA SEMS/Superfund, FEMA NFHL, FEMA NRI, and EPA AirNow — that professionals reference. The difference is we make it readable without the consulting fee.

Can I trust this for a major purchase decision?

Use it as a first screen, not a final answer. VetMyAddress is excellent for quickly identifying whether a property has flags worth investigating before you spend money on a site visit or a professional assessment. For serious concerns — especially NPL Superfund sites or repeated health-based water violations — we recommend consulting a licensed environmental professional.

Why is air quality based on a nearby monitoring station?

The EPA AirNow network covers the country with fixed monitoring stations. For most addresses, the nearest station is within a few miles and provides a reasonable estimate of local conditions. Hyperlocal air quality can vary due to traffic, industrial sources, and wind patterns — the station reading is an approximation, not an address-level measurement.