Chromium-6 Contamination

Chromium-6 in Virginia Drinking Water

Ranked by max chromium-6 detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Detected

100%

% Detected

0.27 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

198

Health Violations

Analysis

Chromium-6 in Virginia: what the data shows

Virginia has 66 cities with chromium-6 data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) was detected in 66 of those cities. There is currently no federal MCL for chromium-6 — California's 10 µg/L limit is used as a reference. The state average max detected level is 0.27 µg/L. Chromium-6 occurs naturally in some groundwater aquifers but also from industrial discharge, particularly from steel processing, chrome plating, and leather tanning. It is distinct from trivalent chromium (Cr III), which is an essential nutrient at low doses. The National Toxicology Program and IARC classify chromium-6 as a carcinogen via inhalation; the evidence for drinking water carcinogenicity is strong but regulatory action at the federal level remains pending as of 2026. Reverse osmosis systems effectively remove chromium-6 to near-undetectable levels.

Comparison

Cities exceeding No federal MCL (CA: 10 µg/L)

Virginia

100%

66 of 66 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

4005 of 4005 cities

City Map

Chromium-6 data across Virginia

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 chromium-6 data. Detected cities are shown; there is no federal MCL — California's 10 µg/L limit is used as a reference. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by chromium-6 level in Virginia

Highest Chromium-6 levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Virginia cities ranked by chromium-6 level

#	City	Level	Detected?	Violations	Grade
1	Leesburg	1.20 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
2	Warrenton	1.20 µg/L	Detected	55	F
3	Amelia	0.90 µg/L	Detected	1	A+
4	Roanoke City	0.80 µg/L	Detected	3	B+
5	Gloucester	0.80 µg/L	Detected	4	A+
6	Portsmouth City	0.70 µg/L	Detected	18	A
7	Suffolk City	0.70 µg/L	Detected	35	A
8	Charlottesville	0.66 µg/L	Detected	33	F
9	Charlottesville City	0.57 µg/L	Detected	0	A
10	Richmond City	0.55 µg/L	Detected	2	A
11	Hanover	0.50 µg/L	Detected	6	A
12	Chesterfield	0.47 µg/L	Detected	5	B+
13	Verona	0.47 µg/L	Detected	28	B+
14	Henrico	0.43 µg/L	Detected	3	A
15	Chesapeake City	0.38 µg/L	Detected	48	F
16	Pennington Gap	0.38 µg/L	Detected	3	B
17	Chatham	0.36 µg/L	Detected	46	F
18	Danville City	0.34 µg/L	Detected	4	A-
19	Martinsville City	0.33 µg/L	Detected	9	A-
20	Staunton City	0.32 µg/L	Detected	2	A
21	Fredericksburg City	0.29 µg/L	Detected	1	A+
22	Herndon	0.28 µg/L	Detected	14	B
23	Abingdon	0.27 µg/L	Detected	7	B+
24	Waynesboro City	0.23 µg/L	Detected	5	A
25	Vansant	0.22 µg/L	Detected	24	C
26	Winchester	0.21 µg/L	Detected	9	A-
27	Ashburn	0.20 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
28	Lynchburg	0.19 µg/L	Detected	14	C
29	Culpeper	0.19 µg/L	Detected	18	B-
30	Bristol City	0.19 µg/L	Detected	0	A
31	Newport News City	0.18 µg/L	Detected	8	A-
32	Winchester City	0.18 µg/L	Detected	1	A
33	Fort Belvoir	0.17 µg/L	Detected	7	B+
34	Manassas Park City	0.17 µg/L	Detected	6	A
35	Woodbridge	0.16 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
36	Vienna	0.16 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
37	Hopewell	0.15 µg/L	Detected	24	F
38	Fredericksburg	0.15 µg/L	Detected	21	C
39	Front Royal	0.14 µg/L	Detected	16	F
40	Virginia Beach City	0.14 µg/L	Detected	29	A
41	Harrisonburg City	0.14 µg/L	Detected	0	A
42	Hopewell City	0.14 µg/L	Detected	9	A-
43	Arlington	0.12 µg/L	Detected	3	B
44	Alexandria City	0.11 µg/L	Detected	0	A
45	Collinsville	0.11 µg/L	Detected	3	A+
46	Williamsburg City	0.11 µg/L	Detected	0	A
47	Madison Heights	0.11 µg/L	Detected	11	B-
48	Manassas City	0.11 µg/L	Detected	5	A
49	Petersburg City	0.10 µg/L	Detected	3	A-
50	Mcincr, Mcb Quantico	0.10 µg/L	Detected	26	C
51	Lynchburg City	0.09 µg/L	Detected	0	A+
52	Salem City	0.09 µg/L	Detected	0	A+
53	Norfolk City	0.09 µg/L	Detected	7	B+
54	Stafford	0.09 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
55	Blacksburg	0.09 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
56	Radford City	0.09 µg/L	Detected	4	A+
57	Colonial Heights City	0.08 µg/L	Detected	3	A+
58	Timberville	0.07 µg/L	Detected	5	B+
59	Christiansburg	0.07 µg/L	Detected	21	F
60	Madison	0.05 µg/L	Detected	28	D
61	Emporia	0.04 µg/L	Detected	3	A+
62	Clintwood	0.04 µg/L	Detected	30	D
63	Smithfield	0.04 µg/L	Detected	111	F
64	Dilwyn	0.04 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
65	Rockville	0.04 µg/L	Detected	384	F
66	Lovingston	0.03 µg/L	Detected	44	F

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about chromium-6 in Virginia

Is chromium-6 in Virginia tap water dangerous?

Chromium-6 (hexavalent chromium) is a potential human carcinogen. There is currently no federal MCL — California's 10 µg/L limit is the most protective US standard. 66 cities in Virginia had detectable chromium-6 in UCMR 3 testing (2013–2015). Reverse osmosis is the most effective removal method.

Where does chromium-6 come from in Virginia water?

Chromium-6 enters water supplies from two main sources: natural weathering of chromium-containing rock formations (especially in the Southwest and parts of the Midwest) and industrial discharge from steel mills, chrome plating, and coal ash sites. Groundwater systems are more commonly affected by natural sources, while surface water systems near industrial areas face pollution-related risks.

How can I filter chromium-6 from my water in Virginia?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective, removing over 95% of chromium-6. Some high-quality activated alumina or anion exchange filters also provide significant reduction. Standard carbon filters and pitcher filters are generally NOT effective against chromium-6. Look for filters certified by NSF International against NSF/ANSI 58 (for RO systems).

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