Is Amelia, VA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A+ — but Chlorate was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
95/100
waterverge.com Amelia, VA — Water Quality Report
Amelia's drinking water received a grade of A+ (95 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,100 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 12 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Amelia's water
Amelia ranks #14 out of 230 cities in Virginia for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Amelia relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.90 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.
As a small community water system, Amelia may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Amelia, VA water safe to drink?
Amelia's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A+ (95/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,100 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Amelia
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Amelia's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (95/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4411). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3403). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Amelia's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Amelia's water system has 12 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Amelia County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Appomattox River, Deep Creek.
Where does Amelia's water come from?
Amelia's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 3,100 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Appomattox River (river), Deep Creek (river).
What Amelia residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Amelia's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtAmelia County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Amelia County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Amelia compares by contaminant
Explore where Amelia ranks among all Virginia cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Amelia's water comes from
Amelia's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 3,100 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Amelia
Amelia is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Amelia
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMELIA COURTHOUSE | VA5007135 | 3,100 | GW |
How Amelia compares
Full Virginia rankings →Amelia's score of 95/100 is above the average of 85/100 among major Virginia cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Virginia rankings →About Amelia, VA
Wikipedia →Amelia Court House is the county seat of Amelia County in the U.S. state of Virginia and a census-designated place (CDP). The population as of the 2010 census was 1,099. The town was named for Princess Amelia of Great Britain, the second daughter of Great Britain's King George II, in 1735.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Amelia's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Amelia
Frequently asked questions
Is Amelia, VA tap water safe to drink?
Amelia's water quality earned a grade of A+ (95/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #14 out of 230 cities tested in Virginia.
What contaminants are in Amelia's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 12 violations are on record.
How is Amelia's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Amelia?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Amelia's water come from?
Amelia's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 3,100 residents.
What health violations has Amelia's water system had?
Amelia has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2014. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
Is Amelia's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Amelia uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 12 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Amelia's water compare to other cities?
Amelia ranks #14 out of 230 cities in Virginia (better than 94% of state cities) and #382 out of 15744 cities nationally (98th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Amelia's small water system affect quality?
Amelia's system serves approximately 3,100 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 12 violations on record.