Is Radford, VA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
90/100
waterverge.com Radford, VA — Water Quality Report
Radford's drinking water received a grade of A (90 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,722 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.6 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 21 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Radford's water
Radford ranks #62 out of 230 cities in Virginia for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Radford may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 6 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Radford, VA water safe to drink?
Radford's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (90/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,722 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Radford
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Radford's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Chlorine, CARBON, TOTAL.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: BHC-GAMMA.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Radford's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Radford's water system has 21 total violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 6 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Where does Radford's water come from?
Radford's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 1,722 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Big Indian Creek (river), Little River (river), Little River Reservoir (lake), New River (river), Walker Creek (river).
What Radford 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.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Radford
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Radford, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 11,916,997 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
U.S. ARMY RADFORD ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT RADFORD, VA24141 | Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution) | 11,916,997 | 4.0 mi |
MAR-BAL INC. DUBLIN, VA24084 | — | — | 6.8 mi |
VOLVO GROUP N.A. LLC DUBLIN, VA24084 | — | — | 8.6 mi |
IMPERIAL GROUP MANUFACTURING INC DUBLIN, VA24084 | — | — | 9.1 mi |
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP (NEW RIVER ENERGETICS) RADFORD, VA24141 | — | — | 4.0 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtMontgomery 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.
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. | 0.6 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Radford compares by contaminant
Explore where Radford ranks among all Virginia cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Radford's water comes from
Radford's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by federal ownership and serves approximately 1,722 people through 3 water systems.
Water bodies near Radford
Radford is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Radford
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| RADFORD ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT | VA1121643 | 1,602 | SW |
| LAKEVIEW WATERWORKS | VA1155441 | 120 | GW |
| NRV REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY | VA1121057 | — | SW |
How Radford compares
Full Virginia rankings →Radford's score of 90/100 is on par with the average of 85/100 among major Virginia cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Virginia rankings →About Radford, VA
Wikipedia →Radford is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of 2020, the population was 16,070 by the United States Census Bureau. For statistical purposes, the Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Radford with neighboring Montgomery County.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Radford's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Montgomery
Frequently asked questions
Is Radford, VA tap water safe to drink?
Radford's water quality earned a grade of A (90/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #62 out of 230 cities tested in Virginia.
What contaminants are in Radford's water?
Lead was measured at 0.6 ppb (90th percentile). 21 violations are on record.
How is Radford'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 Radford?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Radford's water come from?
Radford's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 1,722 residents.
What health violations has Radford's water system had?
Radford has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
How does Radford's water compare to other cities?
Radford ranks #62 out of 230 cities in Virginia (better than 73% of state cities) and #2475 out of 15744 cities nationally (84th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.