HAA5 Contamination

HAA5 in Virginia Drinking Water

Ranked by average HAA5 concentration (µg/L) · UCMR 4 data (2018–2020) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

% Exceeds Limit

22.8 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

198

Health Violations

Analysis

HAA5 in Virginia: what the data shows

Virginia has 68 cities with HAA5 monitoring data from the EPA's UCMR 4 program (2018–2020). Haloacetic acids (HAA5) form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with natural organic matter in water. The state average is 22.8 µg/L — better than the 15.5 µg/L national average. 1 city exceeds the EPA MCL of 60 µg/L. HAA5 is a group of five chlorinated and brominated acetic acids. Long-term exposure above the MCL is associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive outcomes. The EPA classifies total HAA5 as a probable human carcinogen at elevated concentrations. Activated carbon filtration (especially granular or block carbon) is effective at reducing HAA5. Running water through a refrigerator filter or letting it sit in an open pitcher for 30 minutes also helps, as some HAA5 species are volatile. Boiling does not remove disinfection byproducts and may concentrate them.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 60 µg/L EPA MCL

Virginia

1 of 68 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

23 of 4420 cities

City Map

HAA5 data across Virginia

Each dot is a city with UCMR 4 HAA5 testing data. Cities where average HAA5 exceeded the 60 µg/L EPA MCL are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by haa5 level in Virginia

Highest HAA5 levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Virginia cities ranked by haa5 level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Mcincr, Mcb Quantico	62.2 µg/L	Yes	26	C
2	Collinsville	46.9 µg/L	No	3	A+
3	Madison	44.8 µg/L	No	28	D
4	Martinsville City	44.6 µg/L	No	9	A-
5	Williamsburg City	40.3 µg/L	No	0	A
6	Madison Heights	35.9 µg/L	No	11	B-
7	Arlington	35.5 µg/L	No	3	B
8	Abingdon	35.4 µg/L	No	7	B+
9	Christiansburg	33.5 µg/L	No	21	F
10	Stafford	32.4 µg/L	No	3	B-
11	Blacksburg	32.3 µg/L	No	1	A-
12	Chase City	32.0 µg/L	No	8	B+
13	Appomattox	31.3 µg/L	No	1	A
14	Vansant	30.5 µg/L	No	24	C
15	Roanoke City	30.3 µg/L	No	3	B+
16	Virginia Beach City	30.2 µg/L	No	29	A
17	Front Royal	30.0 µg/L	No	16	F
18	Leesburg	29.7 µg/L	No	2	A-
19	Hanover	28.5 µg/L	No	6	A
20	Fredericksburg	28.2 µg/L	No	21	C
21	Gloucester	26.9 µg/L	No	4	A+
22	Harrisonburg City	26.6 µg/L	No	0	A
23	Wise	25.9 µg/L	No	23	B
24	Lawrenceville	25.9 µg/L	No	64	D
25	Suffolk City	25.8 µg/L	No	35	A
26	Altavista	25.6 µg/L	No	5	A-
27	Lynchburg City	25.4 µg/L	No	0	A+
28	Manassas City	25.3 µg/L	No	5	A
29	Danville City	24.6 µg/L	No	4	A-
30	Chesterfield	24.5 µg/L	No	5	B+
31	Bristol City	24.4 µg/L	No	0	A
32	Richmond City	24.3 µg/L	No	2	A
33	Radford City	24.2 µg/L	No	4	A+
34	Portsmouth City	23.6 µg/L	No	18	A
35	Winchester City	23.4 µg/L	No	1	A
36	Salem City	23.2 µg/L	No	0	A+
37	Norfolk City	22.7 µg/L	No	7	B+
38	Lynchburg	22.4 µg/L	No	14	C
39	Rockville	21.9 µg/L	No	384	F
40	Chesapeake City	21.4 µg/L	No	48	F
41	Vienna	21.2 µg/L	No	1	B+
42	Winchester	20.8 µg/L	No	9	A-
43	Culpeper	20.4 µg/L	No	18	B-
44	Warrenton	20.3 µg/L	No	55	F
45	Petersburg City	20.2 µg/L	No	3	A-
46	Hopewell City	19.9 µg/L	No	9	A-
47	Manassas Park City	19.2 µg/L	No	6	A
48	Herndon	18.7 µg/L	No	14	B
49	Henrico	17.6 µg/L	No	3	A
50	Charlottesville City	17.3 µg/L	No	0	A
51	Hopewell	15.8 µg/L	No	24	F
52	Staunton City	14.5 µg/L	No	2	A
53	Woodbridge	14.3 µg/L	No	1	B+
54	Colonial Heights City	14.1 µg/L	No	3	A+
55	Fredericksburg City	14.0 µg/L	No	1	A+
56	Charlottesville	13.9 µg/L	No	33	F
57	Newport News City	12.8 µg/L	No	8	A-
58	Fort Belvoir	10.9 µg/L	No	7	B+
59	Alexandria City	10.3 µg/L	No	0	A
60	Hampton City	9.8 µg/L	No	6	B+
61	Ashburn	9.3 µg/L	No	2	A-
62	Verona	4.9 µg/L	No	28	B+
63	Dahlgren	2.5 µg/L	No	17	C
64	Harrisonburg	2.1 µg/L	No	4	B+
65	Buena Vista City	1.9 µg/L	No	4	A-
66	Williamsburg	1.3 µg/L	No	36	D
67	New Kent	1.3 µg/L	No	12	B
68	Waynesboro City	0.6 µg/L	No	5	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about haa5 in Virginia

What is HAA5 and why does it appear in Virginia tap water?

HAA5 (haloacetic acids) are disinfection byproducts that form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in source water. They are a normal byproduct of the disinfection process that makes water safe to drink. 1 cities in Virginia exceed the EPA MCL of 60 µg/L. The state average is 22.8 µg/L.

How can I reduce HAA5 exposure from Virginia drinking water?

Activated carbon filters (granular or block) effectively reduce HAA5. Refrigerator filters and under-sink carbon systems are convenient options. Unlike lead or PFAS, HAA5 levels can also be reduced by letting water stand in an open container, as some species evaporate. Boiling does NOT remove HAA5 and can concentrate them by reducing water volume.

Which Virginia cities have the highest HAA5 levels?

The cities with the highest average HAA5 concentrations in Virginia are: Mcincr, Mcb Quantico (62.2 µg/L), Collinsville (46.9 µg/L), Madison (44.8 µg/L), Martinsville City (44.6 µg/L), Williamsburg City (40.3 µg/L). Note: this data is from UCMR 4 testing (2018–2020) and may not reflect current levels.

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