Strontium Contamination

Strontium in Virginia Drinking Water

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

Cities Tested

Over HRL

% Over HRL

285.1 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 3% vs national

vs National

198

Health Violations

Analysis

Strontium in Virginia: what the data shows

Virginia has 67 cities with strontium data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Strontium was detected above the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level in 2 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 285.1 µg/L. Strontium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in areas with limestone and dolomite geology. It can also enter water from industrial waste and mining operations. There is no federal MCL for strontium, but the EPA established a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L. Long-term exposure to strontium above the HRL may affect bone health, particularly in children, by substituting for calcium in developing bones. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1,500 µg/L EPA HRL (no MCL)

Virginia

2 of 67 cities

← ▼ 3% below national rate (better)

National avg

250 of 4371 cities

City Map

Strontium data across Virginia

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 strontium testing data. Cities where strontium exceeds the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by strontium level in Virginia

Highest Strontium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Virginia cities ranked by strontium level

#	City	Level	Over HRL?	Violations	Grade
1	Roanoke City	7280.0 µg/L	Over HRL	3	B+
2	Vansant	1670.0 µg/L	Over HRL	24	C
3	Pennington Gap	1015.4 µg/L	No	3	B
4	Clintwood	540.0 µg/L	No	30	D
5	Hanover	531.0 µg/L	No	6	A
6	Rockville	450.0 µg/L	No	384	F
7	Salem City	400.8 µg/L	No	0	A+
8	Winchester	320.0 µg/L	No	9	A-
9	Manassas Park City	320.0 µg/L	No	6	A
10	Arlington	310.0 µg/L	No	3	B
11	Woodbridge	303.6 µg/L	No	1	B+
12	Abingdon	287.6 µg/L	No	7	B+
13	Winchester City	253.6 µg/L	No	1	A
14	Alexandria City	253.4 µg/L	No	0	A
15	Harrisonburg City	250.0 µg/L	No	0	A
16	Vienna	240.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
17	Williamsburg City	235.4 µg/L	No	0	A
18	Newport News City	231.0 µg/L	No	8	A-
19	Leesburg	230.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
20	Herndon	200.0 µg/L	No	14	B
21	Amelia	196.5 µg/L	No	1	A+
22	Timberville	190.0 µg/L	No	5	B+
23	Ashburn	180.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
24	Hopewell	173.3 µg/L	No	24	F
25	Williamsburg	160.0 µg/L	No	36	D
26	Bristol City	150.0 µg/L	No	0	A
27	Richmond City	130.0 µg/L	No	2	A
28	Fort Belvoir	122.4 µg/L	No	7	B+
29	Chesterfield	120.0 µg/L	No	5	B+
30	Dilwyn	114.9 µg/L	No	2	A-
31	Henrico	110.0 µg/L	No	3	A
32	Front Royal	109.0 µg/L	No	16	F
33	Warrenton	98.0 µg/L	No	55	F
34	Gloucester	96.0 µg/L	No	4	A+
35	Norfolk City	93.0 µg/L	No	7	B+
36	Virginia Beach City	89.0 µg/L	No	29	A
37	Fredericksburg City	86.0 µg/L	No	1	A+
38	Hopewell City	81.6 µg/L	No	9	A-
39	Christiansburg	68.1 µg/L	No	21	F
40	Emporia	67.6 µg/L	No	3	A+
41	Chesapeake City	66.6 µg/L	No	48	F
42	Culpeper	65.4 µg/L	No	18	B-
43	Radford City	65.4 µg/L	No	4	A+
44	Danville City	63.0 µg/L	No	4	A-
45	Colonial Heights City	63.0 µg/L	No	3	A+
46	Waynesboro City	61.2 µg/L	No	5	A
47	Petersburg City	61.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
48	Chatham	61.0 µg/L	No	46	F
49	Lynchburg	60.0 µg/L	No	14	C
50	Portsmouth City	59.0 µg/L	No	18	A
51	Suffolk City	56.0 µg/L	No	35	A
52	Blacksburg	54.1 µg/L	No	1	A-
53	Madison Heights	51.0 µg/L	No	11	B-
54	Verona	50.0 µg/L	No	28	B+
55	Lovingston	50.0 µg/L	No	44	F
56	Fredericksburg	49.0 µg/L	No	21	C
57	Manassas City	46.6 µg/L	No	5	A
58	Charlottesville	44.0 µg/L	No	33	F
59	Charlottesville City	40.0 µg/L	No	0	A
60	Mcincr, Mcb Quantico	40.0 µg/L	No	26	C
61	Madison	40.0 µg/L	No	28	D
62	Staunton City	39.7 µg/L	No	2	A
63	Lynchburg City	38.0 µg/L	No	0	A+
64	Collinsville	36.0 µg/L	No	3	A+
65	Stafford	35.7 µg/L	No	3	B-
66	Martinsville City	35.0 µg/L	No	9	A-
67	Smithfield	15.3 µg/L	No	111	F

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about strontium in Virginia

Is strontium in Virginia tap water harmful?

Strontium at low levels is not considered harmful, but the EPA set a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L based on potential bone effects. 2 cities in Virginia exceed this HRL. There is currently no federal MCL for strontium. Children may be more susceptible because strontium can substitute for calcium in developing bones.

How can I remove strontium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (water softener) systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water. Standard carbon filters are NOT effective. If your water comes from a well in an area with limestone or dolomite geology, consider testing for strontium.

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