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Virginia Water Quality
391
Utilities in database
7.3M
Residents served
28%
On private wells
2
Key contaminants tracked
Drinking Water in Virginia
Virginia has 391 community water systems serving approximately 7.3 million residents. Primary water sources include surface water. The most commonly reported contaminants include disinfection byproducts, nitrates. 28% of Virginia residents rely on private wells. DEQ holds primary enforcement authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Utilities in Virginia
Top 20 of 391 by populationFairfax County Water Authority
VA6059501 · 1,121,613 served
City of Virginia Beach
VA3810900 · 437,994 served
City of Newport News
VA3700500 · 407,300 served
Chesterfield Co Central Water System
VA4041845 · 389,897 served
Loudoun Water - Central System
VA6107350 · 334,808 served
Henrico County Water System
VA4087125 · 330,000 served
City of Norfolk
VA3710100 · 234,220 served
City of Richmond
VA4760100 · 229,395 served
Arlington County
VA6013010 · 215,000 served
Western Virginia Water Authority
VA2770900 · 182,700 served
Pwcsa - East
VA6153600 · 168,747 served
City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys
VA3550051 · 165,240 served
City of Alexandria
VA6510010 · 159,200 served
Pwcsa - West
VA6153251 · 136,409 served
Stafford County Utilities
VA6179100 · 123,684 served
City of Portsmouth
VA3740600 · 97,915 served
Spotsylvania County Utilities
VA6177300 · 95,686 served
City of Lynchburg
VA5680200 · 80,995 served
Acsa Urban Area
VA2003053 · 77,408 served
Dale City
VA6153625 · 72,062 served
Key Contaminant Concerns in Virginia
Nitrates
Nitrate (NO₃⁻) is a nitrogen-containing compound that forms naturally through the decomposition of organic matter. At elevated concentrations — almost always from human activity — nitrate interferes with the blood's ability to carry oxygen. The United States produces over 23 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer annually, making agricultural runoff the dominant source of nitrate contamination.
DBPs
When utilities add chlorine to water to kill pathogens, it reacts with dissolved organic matter — leaves, algae, soil — to produce disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Over 600 DBPs have been identified. The EPA regulates two groups: total trihalomethanes (TTHMs, including chloroform) and haloacetic acids (HAA5). DBP levels tend to be highest in surface water systems and in warm months when organic matter is elevated.
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Data source: Utility data from EPA SDWIS. 391 active community water systems ingested. CCR contaminant data ingestion in progress.
Last updated: 2026-04-18