01The verdict: is Independence water safe?
Independence's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (79.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 2,352 residents using gup.
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 1.40 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓8 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Independence's drinking water received a grade of B (79.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 2,352 residents using gup.
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 63 violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.
Independence ranks #152 out of 229 cities in Virginia for water quality, placing it below average in the state. As a small community water system, Independence may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 8 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Independence's water
Every contaminant flagged in Independence, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.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 |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.40 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Virginia
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Virginia
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Independence's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 63 violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.
6 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 19 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2024) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
▼ Down 2.8 mg/L since 1993. The latest reading (1.4 mg/L, 2000) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Independence's water comes from
Independence's water comes from groundwater under the direct influence of surface water, a designation that requires the same treatment rigor as surface water systems.
GUP
Source details for this system are limited in EPA records.
Local treatment
Treatment is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
5 systems
5 water systems (1 wholesaler), operated under local government ownership.
2,352 people
Residents served across Independence's service area.
This source type is vulnerable to both surface contamination pathways and naturally occurring underground contaminants. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,352 people through 5 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| INDEPENDENCE, TOWN OF | VA1077335 | 971 | GUP |
| FAIRVIEW WATER SYSTEM | VA1077200 | 730 | Purchased Surface Water |
| GRANT COMMUNITY | VA1077251 | 350 | Purchased Groundwater |
| OLDTOWN WATER SYSTEM | VA1077570 | 301 | Purchased Surface Water |
| VIRGINIA CAROLINA WATER AUTHORITY | VA1077825 | — | Surface Water |
05Pressure on Independence's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
8 federal disaster declarations on record for Grayson County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Grayson County is in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Independence compares
Scores for nearby Virginia cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Virginia average (85/100)
Independence scores 79.2/100 — below the Virginia average of 85/100. It outscores 2 of 10 nearby cities. Full Virginia rankings →
75.5 / 100AVirginia Beach City, VA
90.8 / 100ANewport News City, VA
85.6 / 100BChesterfield, VA
80.7 / 100AAshburn, VA
87 / 100AHenrico, VA
92.8 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Independence's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Independence alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Independence, VA tap water safe to drink?
Independence's water quality earned a grade of B (79.2/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #152 out of 229 cities tested in Virginia.
What contaminants are in Independence's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 63 violations are on record.
How is Independence'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 Independence?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Independence's water come from?
Independence's water is sourced from GUP. The city has 5 water systems serving approximately 2,352 residents.
What health violations has Independence's water system had?
Independence has 9 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 11 violations remain unresolved.
How does Independence's water compare to other cities?
Independence ranks #152 out of 229 cities in Virginia (better than 34% of state cities) and #8247 out of 15382 cities nationally (46th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.