Chesapeake – Virginia – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Chesapeake Public Utilities serves approximately 136,000 residents across Virginia’s second-largest city by land area, providing water through a sophisticated multi-source system that ensures reliability and quality. The city operates two state-of-the-art water treatment plants—the Northwest River Water Treatment Plant and the Lake Gaston Water Treatment Plant—alongside contracts with Norfolk and Portsmouth for additional water supply. With roughly 15 million gallons produced daily through 65,000 service connections, Chesapeake’s water infrastructure spans diverse sources including surface water from the Northwest River, brackish groundwater wells, and treated water from Lake Gaston via Norfolk’s system.
Chesapeake’s unique geographic position near the Chesapeake Bay requires sophisticated treatment processes to manage both surface and groundwater sources. The Northwest River Plant utilizes conventional treatment and reverse osmosis technology, while the Lake Gaston facility employs advanced ultrafiltration processes. The city’s water consistently meets all federal and state drinking water standards through comprehensive testing programs that conduct hundreds of thousands of analyses annually. Chesapeake received recognition in 2017 when the American Water Works Association declared it the “People’s Choice” in their national Tap Water Taste Test, reflecting the utility’s commitment to providing high-quality drinking water to southeastern Virginia residents.
Chesapeake Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead and Copper Monitoring: Recent analysis shows lead levels in Chesapeake’s water at 90th percentile concentrations of less than 3 parts per billion, well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, maintaining full compliance with federal drinking water standards.
- Testing Scope: Chesapeake conducts hundreds of thousands of water quality analyses annually throughout the treatment process, with additional sampling in approximately 400 homes and businesses citywide to ensure distribution system quality.
- Compliance Status: Chesapeake’s water consistently meets all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and Virginia Department of Health regulations, with continuous monitoring at both treatment plants ensuring optimal water quality.
Water Sources
- Northwest River: Primary surface water source providing water to the Northwest River Water Treatment Plant, supplemented by brackish groundwater from four wells along South Battlefield Boulevard.
- Lake Gaston Partnership: The city participates in the Lake Gaston Water Supply Pipeline project, receiving 10 million gallons per day of treated water from Norfolk, with future capability to treat Lake Gaston water directly.
- Western Branch Wells: Groundwater sources including Wells #1 and #3 plus an Aquifer Storage and Recovery well near Hampton Roads Executive Airport, providing natural fluoridation for the Lake Gaston plant water.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Northwest River Plant: Features conventional treatment processes combined with reverse osmosis technology to handle both surface water and brackish groundwater, ensuring comprehensive contaminant removal.
- Lake Gaston Plant: Utilizes advanced ultrafiltration technology with an 8 million gallon per day capacity, currently treating purchased Norfolk water with future capability for direct Lake Gaston water treatment.
- Disinfection Systems: All water sources are disinfected with chloramine (produced by combining chlorine and ammonia), providing longer-lasting residual protection throughout the distribution system compared to free chlorine.
Infrastructure and Partnerships
- Regional Cooperation: Chesapeake maintains strategic partnerships with Norfolk and Portsmouth, purchasing treated water to ensure supply redundancy and meet peak demand periods across the service area.
- Distribution Network: The comprehensive distribution system serves 65,000 accounts with bimonthly billing cycles, supported by 24/7 customer service and emergency response capabilities.
- Quality Assurance: Operators test water multiple times daily at both treatment plants, with continuous monitoring systems ensuring optimal treatment processes and regulatory compliance.
Customer Service and Support
Chesapeake Public Utilities operates as an Enterprise Fund, generating revenue through user fees rather than taxes to maintain and improve water infrastructure. The utility partners with Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) for sewage treatment services, providing integrated billing through the Hampton Roads Utility Billing Service. Customers receive bimonthly bills covering both water and sewer services, with various payment options including online accounts, one-time payments, and automatic deductions. The utility maintains 24/7 emergency response services at 757-382-3550 for water main breaks and system emergencies, demonstrating its commitment to reliable service delivery throughout the greater Chesapeake area.
Recommendations for Chesapeake Residents
Test Your Water
Contact Chesapeake Public Utilities at 757-382-6352 for water quality testing information. Residents in areas with older plumbing systems or those served by private wells should consider testing for lead, especially homes built before 1986.
Monitor PFAS Updates
Stay informed about ongoing PFAS testing and mitigation efforts, particularly if you live near Naval facilities or airport areas. Virginia DEQ is actively monitoring PFAS levels and implementing new regulations to address these emerging contaminants.
Consider Filtration
Since Chesapeake uses chloramine disinfection, consider NSF-certified filters specifically designed to remove chloramine, disinfection byproducts, and PFAS compounds. Standard carbon filters may not effectively remove chloramine-related taste and odor issues.
Practice Water Conservation
Support regional water sustainability by implementing water-saving practices. Chesapeake’s diverse water sources require conservation efforts to maintain supply reliability, especially during peak summer demand periods and drought conditions.
Report Issues
Contact Chesapeake Public Utilities at 757-382-6352 for water quality concerns or billing questions. For emergencies including water main breaks or pressure problems, call the 24-hour emergency line at 757-382-3550.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chesapeake’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Chesapeake’s tap water meets all federal and state drinking water standards. The city’s multi-source water system includes the Northwest River, Lake Gaston partnership, and groundwater wells, all treated through advanced filtration and disinfection processes.
Chesapeake Public Utilities conducts hundreds of thousands of analyses annually to ensure water quality compliance. Both treatment plants utilize sophisticated technology—conventional treatment with reverse osmosis at the Northwest River Plant and ultrafiltration at the Lake Gaston Plant. The utility’s commitment to quality was recognized when Chesapeake won the American Water Works Association’s “People’s Choice” award for best-tasting tap water in 2017.
Why does my water have a chlorine taste or smell?
Chesapeake uses chloramine for disinfection, which is produced by combining chlorine and ammonia. This creates a more persistent disinfectant that maintains water quality throughout the distribution system better than free chlorine.
Chloramine is primarily responsible for the taste and odor that some customers notice in tap water. Unlike free chlorine, this taste will not dissipate by leaving water in the refrigerator overnight. If taste or odor concerns persist, contact Chesapeake Public Utilities at 757-382-6352. Most standard water filters do not effectively remove chloramine, so consider filters specifically designed for chloramine removal if taste is a concern.
What about PFAS contamination in Chesapeake?
PFAS contamination has been detected in some areas of Chesapeake, particularly near naval facilities where firefighting foam was historically used:
• Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fentress: The Navy provides bottled water and filtration systems to affected households and is working on permanent city water connections
• St. Juliens Creek Annex: Ongoing water testing and monitoring in designated areas near the naval facility
• State Response: Virginia DEQ is actively monitoring PFAS levels and implementing new regulations to address these emerging contaminants
• EPA Standards: New federal drinking water standards for PFAS were finalized in 2024, requiring compliance by 2029
If you live near military installations or airports, contact the relevant facility or Chesapeake Public Utilities for information about water testing programs.
How does Chesapeake’s diverse water system work?
Chesapeake operates a unique multi-source water system designed for reliability and quality:
Primary Sources:
• Northwest River Water Treatment Plant treats surface water and brackish groundwater
• Lake Gaston Water Treatment Plant processes water purchased from Norfolk
• Western Branch Wells provide naturally fluoridated groundwater
Partnerships:
• Regional cooperation with Norfolk and Portsmouth provides supply redundancy
• Participation in the Lake Gaston Water Supply Pipeline project ensures long-term supply security
This integrated approach allows Chesapeake to maintain reliable water service while adapting to changing demand and environmental conditions.
Quality News About Your Water
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Contaminants of Concern
PFAS Compounds
Source: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances primarily from historical use of firefighting foam at Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fentress and other military installations, with additional sources from industrial processes and consumer products
Health Effects: Studies link PFAS exposure to increased cancer risk, immune system impacts, liver damage, decreased fertility, and increased risk of high cholesterol and changes in liver enzymes
Current Status: Navy provides bottled water and filtration systems to affected households near Fentress; Virginia DEQ actively monitoring and implementing new regulations EPA Limits: New federal drinking water standards finalized in 2024, requiring compliance by 2029
Disinfection Byproducts
Source: Formed when chloramine disinfectant reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in source water; levels can vary with seasonal water quality changes and organic matter content
Health Effects: EPA states association with increased bladder cancer risk and potential kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems with long-term exposure to elevated levels
Current Levels: Highest locational running annual averages of 63 ppb detected at treatment plants, with upper levels reaching 109 ppb EPA Limits: 80 ppb for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and 60 ppb for haloacetic acids (HAA5)
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