WaterVerge

Is King George, VA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded D, with 73 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

885 residents served 6 water systems PWSID: VA6099430
Overall Score
45 / 100
Violations
73 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#217 of 230 in Virginia Top 91% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
DGRADE
Water Quality Grade
45/100
waterverge.com
D 45/100

King George, VA — Water Quality Report

King George's drinking water received a grade of D (45 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 6 water systems serve approximately 885 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 4.0 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 223 violations on record, including 34 health-based violations. 73 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about King George's water

King George ranks #217 out of 230 cities in Virginia for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

King George 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.

As a small community water system, King George may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 43 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
45 out of 100 Grade D
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
0/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
18/20
A
Lead at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is King George, VA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

King George's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (45/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 6 water systems serve approximately 885 residents using groundwater (wells).

73
Active Violations
4.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
9 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for King George

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into King George's water quality assessment. Grade: D (45/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE FLORENCE

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3403). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE SANDY

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3359). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for King George's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 4.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

King George's water system has 223 total violations on record, including 34 health-based violations. 73 remain unresolved. 43 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MRMONTTOtherMCLRPT
Most recent violations:
Oct 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Apr 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jan 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Dec 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Dec 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

King George County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1985. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

HURRICANE FLORENCE
Hurricane FEMA DR-3403
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3359
HURRICANE IRENE
Hurricane FEMA DR-4024

Where does King George's water come from?

King George's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 6 water systems serving approximately 885 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What King George residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in King George's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

King George'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
4.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 27% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

223
Total violations
34
Health-based
73
Active / unresolved
Oct 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

223 Total
73 Active
34 Health-based
150 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
92
Revised Total Coliform Rule
30
Consumer Confidence Rule
26
Ground Water Rule
16
Lead and Copper Rule
13
Oct 2025 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Apr 2025 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Dec 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Dec 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Sep 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2024 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Mar 2024 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Sep 2023 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Sep 2023 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Sep 2023 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Aug 2023 Active
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Dec 2022 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2022 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jun 2022 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Showing 20 of 223 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of King George

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near King George, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
CMC REBAR VA KING GEORGE
Fabricated Metals · COMMERCIAL METALS CO
KING GEORGE, VA22485
6.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of King George

Superfund sites nearby

Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.

Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Gloucester 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.

5
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
6.2%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
5
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

9
Declared disasters
Sep 2018
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

King George County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1985. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2018
HURRICANE FLORENCE
Hurricane FEMA #3403
Oct 2012
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA #3359
Sep 2011
HURRICANE IRENE
Hurricane FEMA #4024
Aug 2011
HURRICANE IRENE
Hurricane FEMA #3329
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3240
Sep 2003
HURRICANE ISABEL
Hurricane FEMA #1491

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 4.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 2.5 ppb from 1993 (2.5 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how King George compares by contaminant

Explore where King George ranks among all Virginia cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Private
Population Served
885
Water Systems
6
Water Source

Where King George's water comes from

Groundwater

King George'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 private ownership and serves approximately 885 people through 6 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving King George

System Name PWSID Population Source
PINEVIEW MHP 1-3 VA6099430 400 GW
LAURELWOOD ESTATES TRAILER PK VA4073510 210 GW
HANOVER MHP VA6099275 146 GW
WALNUT GROVE MHP VA6099590 51 GW
AMERICAN HISTORYLAND MHP VA6099025 40 GW
EAGLE BAY VA6099231 38 GW
Regional Comparison

How King George compares

Full Virginia rankings →

King George's score of 45/100 is below the average of 85/100 among major Virginia cities. 10 of 10 nearby cities score higher.

King George (this city)
45
Herndon
75.5
Ashburn
87
Virginia avg
85
City Profile

About King George, VA

Wikipedia →

King George is a census-designated place (CDP) in and the county seat of King George County, Virginia, United States. It is sometimes referred to as King George Courthouse, because it is the location of the King George County Courthouse. The population as of the 2020 census was 4,970. The Journal Press was a local weekly newspaper published in King George and serving local areas until its final issue was published on Jan 11th, 2017.

Economic Profile
$83,750
Median Income
$294,975
Median Home Value
$1,438/mo
Median Rent
3.5%
Unemployment
Community
35.1
Median Age
173
People / sq mi
24.7%
College Educated
70.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is King George, VA tap water safe to drink?

King George's water quality earned a grade of D (45/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #217 out of 230 cities tested in Virginia.

What contaminants are in King George's water?

Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 223 violations are on record.

How is King George'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 King George?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does King George's water come from?

King George's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 6 water systems serving approximately 885 residents.

What health violations has King George's water system had?

King George has 34 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 73 violations remain unresolved.

Is King George's groundwater at risk of contamination?

King George 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 223 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 King George's water compare to other cities?

King George ranks #217 out of 230 cities in Virginia (better than 6% of state cities) and #14301 out of 15744 cities nationally (9th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.