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Virginia Water Quality Report

229 cities tested · Average grade: B · 7.3M people served

Cities Tested
229
Avg Score
78.9
Population Served
7.3M
Avg Grade
B
Live Water Alerts for Virginia →
Latest News

Latest water news in Virginia

Recent reporting on Virginia drinking water — boil-water advisories, regulatory action, and infrastructure events.

Jul 15, 2026

Roanoke Valley Enters Voluntary Water Restrictions as Virginia Drought Warning Widens

Salem and the Western Virginia Water Authority began voluntary water restrictions July 9 as a drought warning covers 12 of Virginia's 13 regions.

Read full story →
Jul 4, 2026

Lab Tests Find PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' in Tap Water at the Capitol and EPA HQ

Exclusive tests at 11 DC-area sites, including the US Capitol and EPA's own lobby, found PFOA and PFHxA in most samples as EPA moves to loosen PFAS limits.

Read full story →
Jul 4, 2026

Richmond Issues First Voluntary Water Restrictions Since 2002 as Virginia Drought Deepens

Richmond and five Virginia counties began voluntary water conservation July 1 as James River flows hit drought triggers not seen since 1941.

Read full story →
Analysis

Virginia water quality overview

Virginia's drinking water quality is good overall, with an average score of 78.9 out of 100 across 229 cities tested. The median score is 84.5, serving a total population of 7,291,286 residents. 77% of cities earned an A or B grade, indicating broadly strong water quality infrastructure across the state. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in 52 of 229 cities tested (23%). 16 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. 1 city has lead levels exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb, often indicating aging infrastructure with lead service lines or lead solder. The state relies on a mix of water sources: 82 cities use groundwater while 141 draw from surface water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Concerns

Issues to watch in Virginia

52 cities
PFAS Detected
23% of tested cities have PFAS in their water supply.
1 cities
Lead Exceedances
Lead levels above the EPA action level of 15 ppb (90th percentile).
197 cities
Health Violations
17,476 total violations recorded, 210 with unresolved issues.
13 cities
Failing Systems
Received a grade of F, indicating serious water quality issues.
Contaminant Data

Explore contaminants in Virginia

Lead in Virginia → Ranked by 90th percentile level (ppb) PFAS in Virginia → Ranked by compounds detected Copper in Virginia → Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)

More contaminants tested in Virginia

HAA5 → Chromium-6 → Arsenic → Nitrate → Strontium → 1,4-Dioxane → Manganese → Vanadium → Chlorate → Molybdenum → Cobalt → Lithium → NDMA →
State context
29
Superfund sites in Virginia
EPA National Priorities List
95.5%
of Virginia residents on fluoridated water
CDC, 2020
13,580,172
lbs released to surface water
Top 10 TRI facilities, 2023
10.1%
of Virginia domestic wells exceed EPA arsenic limit
USGS, 396 samples · 10 µg/L MCL
Domestic well chemistry

Private-well water in Virginia

Based on USGS Powell Domestic-Well Database — 1,345 private wells sampled across Virginia. These wells are not regulated by the EPA; if you draw your tap from a private well, the public-system grade above does not apply to you.

1.4 µg/L
Median arsenic in domestic wells
P90 10.5 µg/L · max 52.0 µg/L
17 µg/L
Median manganese in domestic wells
7.2% exceed 300 µg/L aesthetic limit
Industrial pollution

Top industrial water polluters in Virginia

Industrial polluters nearby

The 10 facilities reporting the most pounds released to surface water in Virginia, 2023.

Total reported releases to surface water: 13,580,172 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)
U.S. ARMY RADFORD ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT
Other · US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
RADFORD, VA24141
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)11,916,997
BWXT NUCLEAR OPERATIONS GROUP INC.
Fabricated Metals · BWX TECHNOLOGIES INC
LYNCHBURG, VA24504
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)477,767
PERDUE FOODS LLC - ACCOMAC PROCESSING PLANT
Food · PERDUE FARMS INC
ACCOMAC, VA23301
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)455,342
NEW MARKET POULTRY LLC
Food · TIP TOP POULTRY INC
NEW MARKET, VA22844
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)201,800
ADVANSIX INC HOPEWELL PLANT
Chemicals · ADVANSIX INC
HOPEWELL, VA23860
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)148,600

+ 5 more facilities

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Test your own tap

Get your Virginia water tested

City-level data shows the source and infrastructure picture — but lead and other home-plumbing issues only show up at your tap. Find a state-certified lab, see what to test for, and what it costs.
Grade Distribution

How Virginia cities scored

A: 108 B: 68 C: 23 D: 17 F: 13

Best Cities

  1. A+ Fredericksburg City 98.8
  2. A+ Lynchburg City 98.3
  3. A+ Collinsville 97.2

Worst Cities

  1. F Lovingston 35
  2. F Warrenton 36
  3. F Christiansburg 38.3
City Map

Water quality across Virginia

Each dot is a city, colored by its water quality grade. Size reflects population served. Click any city to view its full water report.

All Cities

229 cities in Virginia

Full rankings →
# City Grade Score Population Violations
1 Fredericksburg City A+
98.8
28K 1
2 Lynchburg City A+
98.3
81K 0
3 Collinsville A+
97.2
30K 4
4 Mitchells A+
97
2K 0
5 Colonial Heights City A+
96.6
18K 3
6 Salem City A+
96.1
26K 15
7 Tysons A+
95.9
828 1
8 Radford City A+
95.4
17K 14
9 State Farm A+
95.4
2K 12
10 Troy A+
95.4
2K 3
11 Gloucester A+
95.1
11K 14
12 Emporia A+
95.1
7K 3
13 Williamsburg City A
95
16K 11
14 Amelia A+
95
3K 12
15 New Market A
94.8
2K 15
16 La Crosse A
94.8
850 6
17 Winchester City A
94.7
28K 20
18 Galax City A
94.7
7K 38
19 King William A
94.7
2K 6
20 Lovettsville A
94.5
3K 36
21 Woodberry Forest A
94.5
739 6
22 Appalachia A
94.3
3K 27
23 Quinby A
94.1
975 35
24 Waynesboro City A
94
23K 10
25 Richmond City A
93.8
229K 25
26 Lexington City A
93.6
8K 20
27 Farmville A
93.4
8K 3
28 Richlands A
93.3
5K 24
29 Quantico A
93.3
650 6
30 South Hill A
93.2
5K 13
31 Shenandoah A
93.2
2K 24
32 Lexington A
93.1
6K 52
33 Middletown A
93.1
1K 12
34 Cedar Bluff A
93
1K 16
35 Henrico A
92.8
330K 4
36 Dayton A
92.7
2K 14
37 Suffolk City A
92.5
70K 43
38 Appomattox A
92.4
2K 16
39 Warm Springs A
92.2
3K 28
40 Craigsville A
92
2K 5
41 Victoria A
91.8
2K 13
42 Dryden A
91.7
2K 10
43 Bristol City A
91.5
20K 18
44 Coeburn A
91.4
5K 25
45 Wakefield A
91.4
1K 15
46 Hanover A
91.3
59K 8
47 Manassas City A
91.1
43K 15
48 Rural Retreat A
91.1
3K 26
49 Montross A
91.1
2K 35
50 Manassas Park City A
91
14K 23
51 Stuart A
91
2K 16
52 Virginia Beach City A
90.8
458K 37
53 Chilhowie A
90.8
5K 13
54 Staunton City A
90.6
26K 34
55 Harrisonburg City A
90.3
53K 34
56 Charlottesville City A
90.3
48K 5
57 Portsmouth City A
90.3
17K 35
58 St. Paul A
90.2
1K 30
59 Alexandria City A
90.1
159K 4
60 Vint Hill A
90.1
2K 7
61 Bracey A
90
4K 6
62 Radford A
90
2K 21
63 Blacksburg A-
89.9
35K 2
64 Norton City A-
89.9
4K 22
65 Martinsville City A-
89.8
14K 11
66 Orange A-
89.8
5K 27
67 Hampden-Sydney A-
89.8
1K 15
68 Hopewell City A-
89.5
30K 30
69 Ruther Glen A-
89.5
5K 26
70 Altavista A-
89.5
4K 19
71 West Point A-
89.5
3K 8
72 Dilwyn A-
89.4
890 34
73 Franklin City A-
89.3
9K 52
74 Fincastle A-
89.3
2K 28
75 Big Stone Gap A-
89
9K 28
76 Tappahannock A-
88.8
2K 21
77 New Castle A-
88.8
1K 6
78 Hamilton A-
88.7
2K 10
79 Danville City A-
88.5
43K 4
80 Petersburg City A-
88.5
33K 9
81 Franklin A-
88.4
570 97
82 Purcellville A-
88.3
9K 13
83 Newport News A-
88.3
529 32
84 Chincoteague A-
88.1
3K 6
85 Mcgaheysville A-
88.1
560 6
86 Bluefield A-
88
6K 56
87 Warsaw A-
88
2K 17
88 Urbanna A-
88
924 20
89 Buena Vista City A-
87.9
7K 12
90 Surry A-
87.8
850 29
91 Round Hill A-
87.5
5K 16
92 Strasburg A-
87.3
7K 23
93 Hot Springs A-
87.3
2K 7
94 Gate City A-
87.1
2K 47
95 Ashburn A-
87
335K 14
96 Blackstone A-
87
6K 29
97 Leesburg A-
86.9
69K 37
98 Remington A-
86.9
2K 74
99 Saltville A-
86.7
2K 8
100 Onancock A-
86.2
2K 50
101 Easvtille A-
86
1K 22
102 Covington A-
85.7
9K 18
103 Newport News City A-
85.6
407K 38
104 Winchester A-
85.6
47K 38
105 Saluda A-
85.6
2K 1
106 Kenbridge A-
85.6
1K 11
107 Waverly A-
85.5
4K 27
108 Stephens City A-
85.1
2K 17
109 Windsor B+
84.6
3K 45
110 Cumberland B+
84.6
2K 3
111 Buchanan B+
84.6
1K 9
112 Hurt B+
84.6
1K 25
113 Rich Creek B+
84.6
960 83
114 Abingdon B+
84.5
48K 28
115 Fort Belvoir B+
84.5
39K 10
116 Irvington B+
84.5
583 36
117 Honaker B+
84.4
2K 14
118 Brookneal B+
84.3
2K 54
119 Elkton B+
84.2
3K 7
120 Kilmarnock B+
84.2
2K 21
121 Vienna B+
84
30K 5
122 Clarksville B+
83.9
1K 56
123 Parksley B+
83.7
1K 100
124 Harrisonburg B+
83.5
23K 38
125 Tazewell B+
83.4
5K 39
126 Colonial Beach B+
83.3
5K 33
127 Chase City B+
83.2
2K 46
128 Verona B+
83
40K 72
129 Yorktown B+
83
5K 85
130 Petersburg B+
82.8
9K 34
131 Alexandria B+
82.6
3K 45
132 Bland B+
82.6
2K 48
133 Rocky Mount B+
82.5
6K 50
134 Charlotte Courthouse B+
82.5
2K 31
135 Bremo Bluff B+
82.4
2K 25
136 Ivor B+
82.4
766 15
137 Roanoke City B+
82.2
183K 4
138 Floyd B+
81.6
2K 32
139 Amherst B+
81.5
2K 60
140 Woodbridge B+
81.2
307K 4
141 Knott'S Island B+
81
559 117
142 Knott'S Island B+
81
559 117
143 Norfolk City B+
80.9
291K 19
144 Chesterfield B+
80.7
390K 52
145 Wallops Island B+
80.6
2K 22
146 Hampton City B+
80.3
11K 28
147 Rappahannock Academy B+
80.3
2K 102
148 Timberville B+
80.1
4K 48
149 Goochland B
79.5
9K 56
150 New Kent B
79.4
16K 39
151 Stanley B
79.3
4K 23
152 Independence B
79.2
2K 63
153 Hillsville B
79
13K 111
154 Arlington B
78.2
216K 88
155 Troutville B
78.1
577 38
156 Marion B
77.9
17K 103
157 Grottoes B
77.5
4K 63
158 Wytheville B
77.2
14K 61
159 Drakes Branch B
76.7
530 18
160 Wise B
76.5
21K 76
161 South Boston B
76.4
10K 147
162 Bridgewater B
76.1
6K 54
163 Keysville B
76.1
800 40
164 Montvale B
76
773 64
165 Herndon B
75.5
1.1M 23
166 Pennington Gap B
75.5
6K 43
167 Broadway B
75.2
4K 51
168 Ruckersville B
75
9K 48
169 Mineral B
75
503 36
170 Stafford B-
74.8
124K 108
171 Madison Heights B-
74.6
15K 48
172 Clifton Forge B-
74.3
4K 80
173 Gretna B-
72.4
3K 23
174 Bedford B-
71.8
40K 177
175 Buckingham B-
71.7
6K 26
176 Culpeper B-
71.2
24K 84
177 Crewe C+
69.7
2K 21
178 North Tazewell C+
69.5
15K 152
179 Emporia City C+
69.4
8K 37
180 Gordonsville C+
69.2
3K 82
181 Jonesville C+
67.1
11K 177
182 Prince George C+
66.6
11K 194
183 Courtland C+
66.5
4K 144
184 Berryville C+
66.3
6K 42
185 Pembroke C+
65.9
1K 85
186 Fredericksburg C
64.5
97K 163
187 Exmore C
64.4
2K 233
188 Narrows C
64.2
2K 88
189 Dahlgren C
63.2
11K 162
190 Suffolk C
63
872 116
191 Vansant C
62.7
20K 52
192 Pooler C
62.1
772 65
193 Edinburg C
61.6
3K 122
194 Mcincr, Mcb Quantico C
61.4
28K 69
195 Lynchburg C
60.9
25K 161
196 Moneta C
60.8
1K 182
197 Charles City C-
59.7
611 103
198 Isle Of Wight C-
59.3
11K 183
199 Covington City C-
58.8
6K 54
200 Sugar Grove D+
51.9
1K 74
201 Woodstock D+
50.4
10K 40
202 Bowling Green D+
50
1K 50
203 Cleveland D+
50
563 151
204 Richmond D
49
3K 282
205 Madison D
47.9
15K 180
206 Luray D
47.5
5K 581
207 Williamsburg D
47.4
60K 119
208 Pearisburg D
47
5K 411
209 Pulaski D
46
20K 207
210 Mount Jackson D
46
4K 644
211 Stanardsville D
46
2K 307
212 Dublin D
45.6
7K 52
213 Lawrenceville D
45.4
9K 103
214 Clintwood D
45.2
16K 73
215 Louisa D
45
10K 138
216 King George D
45
885 223
217 Charlottesville F
43.9
92K 405
218 Weber City F
43.5
13K 172
219 Smithfield F
43.3
9K 158
220 Front Royal F
42.9
18K 161
221 Lebanon F
42.7
16K 126
222 Chatham F
42.5
11K 157
223 Roanoke F
42.2
12K 785
224 Chesapeake City F
42
198K 360
225 Rockville F
39.7
72K 1898
226 Hopewell F
38.6
124K 421
227 Christiansburg F
38.3
36K 179
228 Warrenton F
36
30K 273
229 Lovingston F
35
10K 462
Counties

Browse Virginia counties

Accomack 5 cities · avg 86.5 Albemarle 1 city · avg 43.9 Alleghany 2 cities · avg 80 Amelia 1 city · avg 95 Amherst 2 cities · avg 78 Appomattox 1 city · avg 92.4 Arlington 1 city · avg 78.2 Augusta 2 cities · avg 87.5 Baltimore 1 city · avg 95.9 Bath 2 cities · avg 89.8 Bedford 2 cities · avg 73.9 Bland 2 cities · avg 86 Botetourt 4 cities · avg 85.1 Brunswick 1 city · avg 45.4 Buchanan 1 city · avg 62.7 Buckingham 1 city · avg 71.7 Campbell 3 cities · avg 78.2 Caroline 3 cities · avg 73.3 Carroll 1 city · avg 79 Charles City 1 city · avg 59.7 Charlotte 3 cities · avg 78.4 Chatham 1 city · avg 62.1 Chesterfield 1 city · avg 80.7 Clarke 1 city · avg 66.3 Craig 1 city · avg 88.8 Culpeper 2 cities · avg 84.1 Cumberland 1 city · avg 84.6 Currituck 2 cities · avg 81 Dickenson 1 city · avg 45.2 Dinwiddie 1 city · avg 82.8 Essex 1 city · avg 88.8 Fairfax 3 cities · avg 81.3 Fauquier 3 cities · avg 71 Floyd 1 city · avg 81.6 Fluvanna 3 cities · avg 72.5 Franklin 3 cities · avg 61.8 Frederick 3 cities · avg 87.9 Giles 4 cities · avg 65.4 Gloucester 1 city · avg 95.1 Goochland 2 cities · avg 87.5 Grayson 1 city · avg 79.2 Greene 2 cities · avg 60.5 Greensville 1 city · avg 95.1 Halifax 1 city · avg 76.4 Hanover 1 city · avg 91.3 Henrico 1 city · avg 92.8 Henry 1 city · avg 97.2 Isle Of Wight 3 cities · avg 62.4 James City 1 city · avg 47.4 King George 2 cities · avg 54.1 King William 2 cities · avg 92.1 Lancaster 2 cities · avg 84.3 Lee 3 cities · avg 78.1 Loudoun 6 cities · avg 88.8 Louisa 2 cities · avg 60 Lunenburg 2 cities · avg 88.7 Madison 1 city · avg 94.5 Mecklenburg 5 cities · avg 89 Middlesex 2 cities · avg 86.8 Montgomery 3 cities · avg 72.7 Nelson 1 city · avg 35 New Kent 1 city · avg 79.4 Northampton 2 cities · avg 75.2 Nottoway 2 cities · avg 78.3 Orange 3 cities · avg 69 Page 3 cities · avg 73.3 Patrick 1 city · avg 91 Pittsylvania 3 cities · avg 66.5 Powhatan 1 city · avg 49 Prince Edward 2 cities · avg 91.6 Prince George 1 city · avg 66.6 Prince William 4 cities · avg 68.6 Pulaski 2 cities · avg 45.8 Richmond 1 city · avg 88 Rockbridge 1 city · avg 93.1 Rockingham 8 cities · avg 82.2 Russell 3 cities · avg 59 Scott 2 cities · avg 65.3 Shenandoah 5 cities · avg 68 Smyth 4 cities · avg 76.8 Southampton 4 cities · avg 75.1 Spotsylvania 1 city · avg 64.5 Stafford 1 city · avg 74.8 Surry 1 city · avg 87.8 Sussex 3 cities · avg 86.5 Tazewell 5 cities · avg 85.4 Warren 1 city · avg 42.9 Washington 1 city · avg 84.5 Westmoreland 2 cities · avg 87.2 Wise 5 cities · avg 88.3 Wythe 2 cities · avg 84.2 York 1 city · avg 83
ZIP Codes

Browse Virginia by ZIP code

Look up water quality by ZIP code to find the systems serving your area.

View all Virginia ZIP codes →
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Virginia's water

Is Virginia's tap water safe to drink?

Virginia's water quality varies by city. The statewide average grade is B (78.9/100). 77% of cities scored an A or B, while 13% received a D or F. Check your specific city for detailed results.

Which Virginia cities have the best water quality?

The top-rated cities are Fredericksburg City (A+), Lynchburg City (A+), Collinsville (A+). These cities scored highest based on violation history, lead levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Which Virginia cities have the worst water quality?

The lowest-rated cities are Lovingston (F), Warrenton (F), Christiansburg (F). We recommend residents in these areas consider water filtration and review their city's specific contaminant data.

How many Virginia cities have PFAS in their water?

52 out of 229 cities tested positive for PFAS "forever chemicals" (23%). 16 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can help reduce PFAS exposure.

Do any Virginia cities have dangerous lead levels?

1 city exceeds the EPA lead action level of 15 ppb. Lead contamination typically comes from aging pipes and lead service lines rather than the water source itself. An NSF 53-certified filter can effectively remove lead from tap water.

Water quality resources

Guide
How to Read Your Water Quality Report
Read guide →
Guide
Lead in Drinking Water
Read guide →
Guide
PFAS Forever Chemicals Explained
Read guide →
News
Latest Water Quality News
View all →
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