Is Alexandria tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Alexandria's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns including PFAS detected. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

67/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
3.5 GPG
Hardness
Detected
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Alexandria

PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Detected

PFAS are man-made chemicals that do not break down and accumulate in the body.

PFAS details for Alexandria

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Alexandria

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.2 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Alexandria
Virginia

223,012,230,222,304 · Potomac River via Fairfax Water

Alexandria Water Quality Report: PFAS Detected

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 159,467 residents
67
Purity Score

PFAS compounds have been identified in Alexandria's public water supply. This report covers detection levels, health context, and the filtration options best suited to Alexandria residents.

Health Insights

  • 1
    PFAS have been identified in Alexandria's water at 1.5 parts per trillion. A reverse osmosis system is the most reliable home treatment.
  • 2
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Alexandria's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

67 /100
Moderate
"Good" threshold (70)

Alexandria tap water is sourced from Potomac River via Fairfax Water and treated by Virginia American Water. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected. Overall purity score: 67/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Alexandria's 3 issues.

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About Alexandria's Water

PFAS Water Contamination: What Alexandria Residents Should Know

PFAS have been detected in Alexandria's water supply at 1.5 parts per trillion. Health agencies including the EPA have set limits on certain PFAS compounds in drinking water due to concerns about long-term exposure. While municipal treatment reduces many contaminants, standard water treatment does not fully remove PFAS. Point-of-use reverse osmosis filtration is the most effective home solution confirmed to remove PFAS at the 99%+ level.

Explore Alexandria Water Data

Alexandria Water FAQ

Is Alexandria VA tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Alexandria tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 67/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected at 1.5 ppt. An NSF-certified filter is strongly recommended. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Alexandria VA use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Alexandria uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.3 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Alexandria VA water and what is the TDS level?
Alexandria water hardness is 3.5 grains per gallon (soft) with a TDS of 120 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Alexandria VA drinking water?
Yes. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected in Alexandria water at approximately 1.5 ppt according to EPA UCMR5 monitoring data. A reverse osmosis or NSF P473-certified filter is the most effective residential solution.
What is the best water filter for Alexandria?
Based on Alexandria's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Alexandria: PFAS detected or elevated lead risk. Reverse osmosis is the only residential technology proven to reduce both below detection limits. TDS will also drop significantly.

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Virginia American Water CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

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