Virginia Beach Drinking Water Quality
What's Really in Your Tap Water?
Good news for Virginia Beach residents — your tap water meets all current EPA drinking water standards. At just 55 ppm (3.2 gpg), the water is pleasantly soft. No violations have been recorded in the past 3 years.
Safe to Drink
Meets all EPA standards
3.2 GPG hardness
Lead
Lead data not available
Hardness
Soft water
US Average: 100 ppm
Is Virginia Beach Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Virginia Beach tap water meets all current EPA drinking water standards.
8 contaminants were tested in Virginia Beach's water. 5 were detected — all within EPA limits.
Disinfectants — Chloramines is at 3.03 ppm — 76% of the EPA limit (4 ppm). Within legal limits, but elevated.
Disinfectants made from chlorine and ammonia, used as an alternative to chlorine. Last longer in the distribution system. Safe at regulated levels. Produces fewer disinfection byproducts than chlorine, but can be harmful to fish and dialysis patients.
→ Catalytic carbon filters or reverse osmosis can remove chloramines. Standard carbon filters are less effective.
Disinfection Byproducts — 2 contaminants detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 29 ppb (48% of EPA limit).
Inorganic Chemicals — 2 contaminants detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Fluoride at 0.3 ppm (8% of EPA limit).
PFAS "Forever Chemicals" — No PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in available test data.
The data below shows test results from 1 water utility serving 0 people in the Virginia Beach area.
Based on publicly available data from Virginia Beach 2024 Water Quality Report – Additional Information table: avg 55 ppm, range 50–59 ppm (2024). Water quality can vary by location, building plumbing, and over time. This assessment reflects compliance with federal EPA standards and is not medical advice.
Do I Need a Water Filter?
Virginia Beach tap water meets all current EPA standards. No additional filtration is required based on available test data. For extra peace of mind, a basic carbon filter can improve taste.
How Virginia Beach Compares
Compared to 51 major US cities based on 2024 Consumer Confidence Report data
Lead (90th percentile)
National avg: 2.85 ppb
1 ppb
65% below average
Water Hardness
National avg: 127.2 ppm
55 ppm
57% softer than average
PFAS Contamination
Detected in 33% of major US cities
Not Detected
67% of cities are PFAS-free
How Hard is Virginia Beach Water?
55 ppm
3.2 grains per gallon
Soft water requires no treatment and is gentle on skin and appliances.
Impact on Your Home
Shower
Great for skin & hair
Kitchen
No water spots
Laundry
Clothes stay soft
Appliances
No scale buildup
Regional Comparison
Values in ppm (mg/L as CaCO₃)
Range: 50–59 ppm
Your pipes tell a different story
The data above shows what leaves the treatment plant—not what comes out of your faucet. Old pipes, lead solder, and building plumbing can add contaminants the city never tests for. Know exactly what's in your Virginia Beach tap water.
Home test kits detect lead, bacteria, pesticides, and 100+ other contaminants. Results in 5-10 business days from certified labs.
Lead & Contaminants
Understanding lead levels and water quality violations in Virginia Beach
Lead Test Results
Lead testing data is currently unavailable for Virginia Beach. Contact your local water utility for the most recent test results.
About Lead in Drinking Water
What is Lead in Water?
According to the EPA, lead is a toxic metal that can dissolve into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. It's invisible, tasteless, and odorless, making testing the only way to detect it. The EPA has set an action level of 15 ppb and states there is no safe level of lead exposure.
Potential Health Effects
According to the CDC: developmental delays, learning difficulties, lower IQ, behavioral issues
According to the EPA: high blood pressure, kidney damage, reproductive issues
How to Reduce Exposure
- •Run water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking, especially in the morning
- •Use cold water for cooking and drinking (hot water dissolves more lead)
- •Install a NSF-certified filter designed to remove lead
- •Test your water, especially if your home was built before 1986
PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
No PFAS detected in available test data
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that don't break down in the environment. No PFAS were detected in available test data.
Chloramines
76% of EPA limit
Range: 0.3–3.91 ppm
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
48% of EPA limit
Range: 10–47 ppb
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)
46% of EPA limit
Range: 16–58 ppb
Fluoride
8% of EPA limit
Range: 0.1–1.1 ppm
Other Detected Contaminants
8 contaminants detected
| Contaminant | Your Water | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 37 ppb Range: 16-58 Highest LRAA 37 ppb (highest running avg over 4 quarters at one location). System avg 36 ppb, range 16–58 ppb. MCL 80 ppb. Disinfectant: chloramines. | 80 ppb | Safe 46% of limit |
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 29 ppb Range: 10-47 Highest LRAA 29 ppb. System avg 28 ppb, range 10–47 ppb. MCL 60 ppb. | 60 ppb | Safe 48% of limit |
Chloramines | 3.03 ppm Range: 0.3-3.91 Highest monthly average 3.03 ppm. Range in distribution 0.3–3.91 ppm. MRDL 4.0 ppm. | 4 ppm | Caution 76% of limit |
PFOA | 0 ppt Range: 0-0 ND – UCMR5 (0/4 samples). All 29 PFAS compounds tested in 2024 were not detected. | 4 ppt 0 | Safe |
PFOS | 0 ppt Range: 0-0 ND – UCMR5 (0/4 samples). | 4 ppt 0 | Safe |
Lithium | 0 ppb Range: 0-0 ND – UCMR5 2024. No other UCMR5 contaminants detected. | N/A | Safe |
Fluoride | 0.3 ppm Range: 0.1-1.1 Avg 0.3 ppm, max 0.41 ppm. Added to prevent tooth decay. MCL 4.0 ppm. | 4 ppm | Safe 8% of limit |
Nitrate | 0.12 ppm Range: 0.03-0.27 Avg 0.12 ppm, max 0.27 ppm (2.7% of MCL 10). Very low. | 10 ppm | Safe 1% of limit |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA legal limit)
EPA Compliance History
Excellent Record
No violations in past 3 yearsThis utility has maintained full EPA compliance. No action needed, but regular home testing is still recommended.
3-Year Violation Summary
0
Total Violations
0
Health-Related
0
Administrative
Health-Related Violations
Contaminant exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels. The EPA recommends considering certified filtration.
Administrative Violations
Missed testing deadlines or reporting. Does not indicate water quality issues.
Who Provides Virginia Beach's Water?
Utility Name
City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Utilities
EPA System ID (PWSID)
VA6133810
Population Served
0
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Virginia Beach tap water quality
Nearby Cities in VA
Virginia Beach City
Newport News City
Chesterfield Co Central
Soft water
Loudoun
Moderate water
Norfolk City
Richmond City
This data is for informational purposes only. Water quality can vary by neighborhood and building. For official reports, contact your local water utility or the EPA. Learn about our methodology
Data source: Virginia Beach 2024 Water Quality Report – Additional Information table: avg 55 ppm, range 50–59 ppm (2024) • View report