Virginia – The Old Dominion – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your state
Virginia’s water infrastructure serves approximately 8.6 million residents across diverse geographical regions, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west to the Chesapeake Bay in the east. The Commonwealth operates through a complex network of over 2,800 public water systems, ranging from large municipal utilities like Norfolk’s systems serving hundreds of thousands of customers, to smaller community systems providing essential services to rural areas. Virginia’s water sources include the James, Rappahannock, York, and Potomac river systems, along with the Potomac Aquifer and numerous reservoirs that supply both urban centers and agricultural communities.
Despite abundant water resources, Virginia faces significant infrastructure challenges amplified by rapid population growth, particularly in Northern Virginia and the Tidewater region. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 Infrastructure Report Card, Virginia’s drinking water infrastructure received a C+ grade, reflecting aging systems, funding needs, and emerging contaminant concerns including PFAS “forever chemicals.” The Commonwealth has received over $66 million in federal infrastructure investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address these challenges, focusing on drinking water safety, wastewater treatment upgrades, and emerging contaminant removal. Virginia’s commitment to water quality improvement is demonstrated through partnerships between the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Virginia Department of Health (VDH), local utilities, and federal agencies working to ensure safe, reliable water access for all residents.
Virginia Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Statewide Compliance and Testing
- Overall Compliance: Most of Virginia’s 2,800+ public water systems meet federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards, though 28 systems serving approximately 2.29 million people have been identified with PFAS levels above new EPA maximum contaminant levels.
- PFAS Monitoring: Virginia has implemented comprehensive PFAS monitoring programs across the state, with DEQ beginning the process of identifying contamination sources and developing regulatory options to address emerging contaminant challenges.
- Infrastructure Investment: Over $66 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been allocated to Virginia for water infrastructure improvements, including $10.7 million specifically for emerging contaminant treatment and $4.4 million for Clean Water emerging contaminant programs.
Major Water Sources and Challenges
- James River System: Serves central Virginia including Richmond metropolitan area, with ongoing monitoring for PFAS contamination and infrastructure modernization needs following recent water system failures and boil water advisories.
- Potomac Aquifer: Primary groundwater source for eastern Virginia, facing depletion challenges being addressed through innovative programs like Hampton Roads’ SWIFT (Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow) aquifer recharge system.
- Chesapeake Bay Watershed: Virginia’s portion of the watershed faces ongoing restoration challenges with nutrient pollution, requiring continued investment in wastewater treatment and stormwater management across multiple river basins.
Emerging Contaminant Response
- PFAS Regulation Implementation: New EPA drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS (4 parts per trillion) take effect in 2029, requiring significant infrastructure investments from affected water systems, with Virginia leading source identification efforts.
- Treatment Technology Deployment: Water utilities are implementing advanced treatment technologies including granular activated carbon filtration and ion exchange systems to remove PFAS and other emerging contaminants from drinking water supplies.
- Source Identification Program: DEQ has begun notifying facilities identified as potential PFAS sources, requiring self-reporting and wastewater monitoring to develop comprehensive contamination reduction strategies by 2025.
Rural and Disadvantaged Communities
- Infrastructure Disparities: Rural water systems and smaller communities face disproportionate challenges with aging infrastructure, limited technical capacity, and higher per-capita costs for compliance with new regulations.
- Targeted Federal Support: Dedicated funding streams through the Emerging Contaminant Small or Disadvantaged Communities program provide grants and forgivable loans to ensure equitable access to safe drinking water across Virginia.
- Private Well Concerns: Over 613,000 Virginia households rely on private wells not regulated under federal PFAS standards, with state efforts underway to develop testing and treatment assistance programs for well owners.
Looking Forward: 2025-2030
Virginia’s water quality landscape is undergoing significant transformation as utilities prepare for new federal PFAS regulations taking effect in 2029. The Commonwealth’s systematic approach to source identification and treatment implementation, combined with substantial federal infrastructure investments and innovative programs like SWIFT, positions Virginia as a leader in addressing emerging water quality challenges. However, successful implementation will require continued collaboration between state regulators, water utilities, and communities to address the legacy of contamination while managing rapid population growth, climate change impacts, and aging infrastructure that challenge Virginia’s water systems from the mountains to the sea.
Recommendations for Virginia Residents
Know Your Water Source
Contact your water utility to request annual water quality reports and ask about PFAS testing results. Visit VDH’s and DEQ’s websites to access your local system’s testing data and understand any contaminants of concern in your area.
Support Infrastructure Investment
Stay informed about local water infrastructure needs and support utility rate structures that enable necessary improvements. Attend public meetings when utilities discuss infrastructure upgrades and PFAS treatment investments.
Consider PFAS-Certified Filtration
For areas with known PFAS contamination, consider NSF-certified activated carbon, ion exchange, or reverse osmosis filters specifically tested for PFAS removal. These can provide additional protection while utilities implement treatment upgrades.
Report Water Quality Concerns
Contact your local water utility immediately for taste, odor, or color concerns. Report suspected contamination to VDH’s Office of Drinking Water at (804) 864-7500 or DEQ for investigation and follow-up.
Practice Water Conservation
Support Virginia’s water sustainability by implementing conservation measures like efficient irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and low-flow fixtures. Reducing demand helps utilities maintain system reliability and affordability.
Virginia Cities We Cover
Chesapeake Water Quality
Comprehensive analysis of Chesapeake’s water infrastructure, including water sources, treatment processes, infrastructure modernization efforts, and response to emerging contaminants including PFAS monitoring near military installations.
Richmond Water Quality
Detailed assessment of Richmond’s water systems, covering water quality testing, infrastructure challenges, recent service disruptions, and compliance with emerging contaminant regulations in Virginia’s capital city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virginia’s tap water safe to drink?
Most of Virginia’s public water systems meet federal drinking water standards and are safe for consumption. However, 28 systems serving about 2.29 million people have PFAS levels that exceed new EPA guidelines.
The Virginia Department of Health and Department of Environmental Quality require comprehensive testing across all public water systems. While most systems comply with current standards, the state is proactively addressing PFAS contamination through source identification and treatment upgrades. Virginia has received over $66 million in federal funding to address emerging contaminants and infrastructure needs. Residents should review their utility’s annual water quality report and stay informed about local conditions, especially in areas near military bases or industrial facilities.
What are PFAS chemicals and why are they a concern in Virginia?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic “forever chemicals” that persist in the environment and human body, causing serious health concerns.
Virginia has detected PFAS in 28 water systems, particularly near military installations like Naval Air Station Oceana and airports where firefighting foam was used. These chemicals have been linked to cancer, liver damage, immune system effects, and other health concerns. The EPA finalized new drinking water standards in 2024 limiting PFOA and PFOS to 4 parts per trillion, requiring water systems to comply by 2029. Virginia is implementing a comprehensive source identification program and has established funding for treatment systems to address contamination.
How can I find out about my local water quality?
Virginia residents can access comprehensive water quality information through several resources:
• Annual Water Quality Reports: Contact your water utility directly for their Consumer Confidence Report, which details all testing results and any violations or concerns
• Virginia Department of Health: Visit VDH’s Office of Drinking Water website for public water system testing results and compliance information
• DEQ Water Quality Data: Access Virginia DEQ’s databases for information about surface water quality and permit compliance
• PFAS Information: Both VDH and DEQ provide PFAS testing results and information about contamination sources and treatment options
Why does Virginia have water infrastructure challenges?
Virginia’s water infrastructure faces several interconnected challenges:
Rapid Growth: Northern Virginia and Tidewater regions are experiencing significant population growth, straining existing systems and requiring major infrastructure expansion
Aging Systems: Many water systems, particularly in urban areas like Richmond, have aging infrastructure requiring modernization to meet current standards
Climate Impacts: Increased flooding, sea level rise, and extreme weather events affect water treatment operations and distribution systems
Emerging Contaminants: New regulations for PFAS and other contaminants require expensive treatment technology upgrades across multiple systems
The Commonwealth is addressing these challenges through federal infrastructure investments, improved regulatory oversight, and innovative solutions like the SWIFT aquifer recharge program.
Contaminants of Concern
PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
Source: Military installations (Naval Air Station Oceana, Langley Air Force Base), airports (Richmond International), firefighting foam use, and industrial manufacturing facilities throughout Virginia
Health Effects: Linked to kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage, immune system suppression, high cholesterol, and developmental effects in children
Current Status: 28 Virginia water systems serving approximately 2.29 million people have PFAS levels exceeding new EPA limits, requiring treatment upgrades by 2029 EPA Limits: 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS individually, with hazard index for other PFAS compounds
Nutrient Pollution & Agricultural Runoff
Source: Agricultural operations throughout Virginia, urban stormwater runoff, wastewater treatment plant discharges, and legacy contamination from industrial activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed
Health Effects: Excess nutrients can cause algal blooms leading to taste and odor issues, potential toxin production, and increased treatment costs for drinking water systems
Current Status: Virginia continues working toward Chesapeake Bay restoration goals with ongoing nutrient reduction efforts and improved stormwater management practices Regulatory Response: Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) programs and enhanced wastewater treatment requirements under the Chesapeake Bay Program
Please read – our information
The information presented on cleanairandwater.net is compiled from official water quality reports, trusted news sources, government websites, and public health resources. While we strive for accuracy and thoroughness in our presentations, we are not scientists, engineers, or qualified water quality professionals.
Our mission is to present water quality information in an accessible, real-world format that helps people understand what’s in their water and make informed decisions about their health and safety. We believe that complex environmental information should be available to everyone in a format that’s easy to understand.
We make every effort to ensure our content is current and accurate, but we cannot guarantee that all information is complete or error-free. This website should not replace official communications from your local water utility or health department. We always recommend consulting official sources for the most up-to-date information regarding your specific water system.
Clean Air and Water is not liable for any unintentional errors, omissions, or outdated information. The content on this site is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.
