Copper Contamination

Copper in Virginia Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile copper level (mg/L) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

100%

% Exceeds Limit

3.388 mg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

198

Health Violations

Analysis

Copper in Virginia: what the data shows

Virginia has 46 cities with copper monitoring data. The state average 90th percentile copper level is 3.388 mg/L, compared to 28.808 mg/L nationally — better than the national average. 46 cities exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L. Copper in drinking water typically comes from corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, particularly in older homes. The EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L is the 90th percentile threshold — if more than 10% of tap samples exceed it, utilities must take corrective action including adjusting water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. Short-term copper exposure above the action level can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure at elevated levels is associated with liver and kidney damage. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use and using an NSF 53-certified filter can reduce copper exposure.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1.3 mg/L EPA Action Level

Virginia

100%

46 of 46 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

3953 of 3953 cities

City Map

Copper data across Virginia

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with copper levels above the 1.3 mg/L EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by copper level in Virginia

Highest Copper levels (mg/L)

All Cities

All Virginia cities ranked by copper level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Buchanan	26.000 mg/L	Yes	1	B+
2	Norton City	18.000 mg/L	Yes	0	A-
3	Chesterfield	13.000 mg/L	Yes	5	B+
4	Alexandria	11.400 mg/L	Yes	9	B+
5	Rockville	6.000 mg/L	Yes	384	F
6	Charlottesville	5.680 mg/L	Yes	33	F
7	Stafford	4.240 mg/L	Yes	3	B-
8	Madison Heights	3.820 mg/L	Yes	11	B-
9	Rocky Mount	3.305 mg/L	Yes	4	B+
10	Charles City	2.390 mg/L	Yes	14	C-
11	Christiansburg	2.345 mg/L	Yes	21	F
12	Buena Vista City	2.320 mg/L	Yes	4	A-
13	Roanoke	2.220 mg/L	Yes	85	F
14	Yorktown	2.180 mg/L	Yes	16	B+
15	Dahlgren	2.160 mg/L	Yes	17	C
16	South Boston	2.050 mg/L	Yes	39	B
17	Floyd	1.993 mg/L	Yes	7	B+
18	Stanardsville	1.973 mg/L	Yes	34	D
19	Mount Jackson	1.830 mg/L	Yes	13	D
20	Gordonsville	1.813 mg/L	Yes	9	C+
21	Harrisonburg	1.800 mg/L	Yes	4	B+
22	Chatham	1.800 mg/L	Yes	46	F
23	Chase City	1.800 mg/L	Yes	8	B+
24	Smithfield	1.790 mg/L	Yes	111	F
25	Madison	1.779 mg/L	Yes	28	D
26	Bedford	1.770 mg/L	Yes	19	B-
27	Front Royal	1.755 mg/L	Yes	16	F
28	Moneta	1.740 mg/L	Yes	14	C
29	Pembroke	1.700 mg/L	Yes	65	C+
30	Louisa	1.635 mg/L	Yes	78	D
31	Charlotte Courthouse	1.620 mg/L	Yes	6	B+
32	Mineral	1.610 mg/L	Yes	9	B
33	Hampton City	1.590 mg/L	Yes	6	B+
34	Petersburg	1.570 mg/L	Yes	7	B+
35	Warrenton	1.535 mg/L	Yes	55	F
36	Goochland	1.530 mg/L	Yes	7	B
37	Drakes Branch	1.520 mg/L	Yes	8	B
38	Chesapeake City	1.500 mg/L	Yes	48	F
39	Williamsburg	1.416 mg/L	Yes	36	D
40	Lovingston	1.410 mg/L	Yes	44	F
41	Culpeper	1.400 mg/L	Yes	18	B-
42	Independence	1.400 mg/L	Yes	9	B
43	Waverly	1.390 mg/L	Yes	3	A-
44	Lynchburg	1.360 mg/L	Yes	14	C
45	North Tazewell	1.360 mg/L	Yes	2	C+
46	Saltville	1.360 mg/L	Yes	0	A-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about copper in Virginia

Is copper in Virginia drinking water safe?

46 cities in Virginia exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L for copper. The state average is 3.388 mg/L. Copper levels are highest in homes with copper plumbing, particularly when water sits in pipes overnight. Flushing the tap before use significantly reduces copper in drinking water.

What causes high copper levels in Virginia tap water?

Copper typically leaches from copper pipes and brass fittings within homes, not from the water source itself. Corrosive (low pH or soft) water accelerates this leaching. Water utilities with high copper readings are required to adjust water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use.

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