Is Suffolk tap water safe to drink?

Yes with good quality

Suffolk's tap water meets all EPA standards and scores well on our analysis. It is generally safe to drink though filtration can improve taste and provide extra precaution.

82/100
Purity Score
2
Issues Found
2.8 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

2 Issues Detected in Suffolk

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Suffolk

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.2 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Suffolk
Virginia

234,342,343,523,437 · Lake Gaston via Norfolk

Water Quality in Suffolk, VA (2026)

Low Risk Updated March 2026 92,108 residents
See Best Filters for Suffolk
82
Purity Score

Residents of Suffolk draw from Lake Gaston via Norfolk infrastructure managed by City of Suffolk Department of Public Utilities. This 2026 analysis evaluates safety, identifies any concerns, and recommends the best home filtration options.

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
2.5 ppb
Nitrate
0.5 mg/L
Arsenic
0.2 mg/L
Hardness
2.8 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Suffolk's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

82 /100
Good
"Good" threshold (70)

Suffolk tap water is sourced from Lake Gaston via Norfolk and treated by City of Suffolk Department of Public Utilities. Overall purity score: 82/100 (Good). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Suffolk's 2 issues.

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Explore Suffolk Water Data

PFAS in SuffolkForever chemicals
Lead in SuffolkLead risk
Suffolk Hard WaterHardness data
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Suffolk Water FAQ

Is Suffolk VA tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Suffolk tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 82/100 (Good) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Suffolk VA use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Suffolk uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.4 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 Suffolk VA water and what is the TDS level?
Suffolk water hardness is 2.8 grains per gallon (soft) with a TDS of 90 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Suffolk VA drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Suffolk drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Suffolk?
Based on Suffolk's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Suffolk has elevated chlorine residuals. An under-sink carbon filter removes chlorine and disinfection byproducts at the tap.

Nearby Reports

Virginia BeachVirginia — 67/100NorfolkVirginia — 67/100AlexandriaVirginia — 67/100RichmondVirginia — 82/100ChesapeakeVirginia — 82/100Newport NewsVirginia — 82/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • City of Suffolk Department of Public Utilities CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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