Virginia Water Quality Report 2026

11 cities2,155,627 residentsUpdated March 2026

C76.5/100State Average
Virginia has 11 cities in our database, serving approximately 2,155,627 residents. The average PurityMap score is 76.5/100 (Grade: C), which is 1.4 points below the US average of 77.9/100. Richmond has the cleanest water (82/100) while Virginia Beach scores lowest (67/100) due to PFAS detected.
Is Virginia Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Safe — Filtration Recommended

Virginia tap water is safe — filtration recommended based on our analysis of 11 water systems serving 2,155,627 residents. The average PurityMap score is 76.5/100 (Grade: C), which is 1.4 points below the national average.

  • PFAS detected in 4 of 11 cities (36%). Forever chemicals require reverse osmosis filtration.
  • 11 cities use chloramine or have elevated chlorine residuals. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove chloramine.
Our Recommendation

We recommend an under-sink reverse osmosis system for drinking water in PFAS-affected areas of Virginia. RO removes 99%+ of PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. For hard water cities, add a whole-house softener.

All 11 cities in Virginia meet EPA federal drinking water standards as of 2026. However, EPA standards set legal limits — not health goals. Many contaminants are detected at levels that are legal but may still pose long-term health risks according to independent health organizations like the EWG.
Virginia at a Glance
76.5Avg Purity Score
2.6Avg Hardness (GPG)
Soft
4Cities with PFAS
0Cities with Hard Water
2.9Avg Lead (ppb)
87Avg TDS (ppm)

Virginia is 1.4 points below the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 3.7 GPG below the US average of 6.3 GPG.

Best & Worst Water in Virginia
Cleanest

Richmond

82/100

Source: James River

Most Concerns

Virginia Beach

67/100

PFAS detected

Cities with Most Water Concerns in Virginia

Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.

RankCityScoreHardnessLeadKey Issues
1Virginia Beach 67/1002.6 GPG2.0 ppbPFAS (2.5 ppt)
2Norfolk 67/1002.8 GPG3.5 ppbPFAS (2.2 ppt)
3Arlington 67/1003.5 GPG2.5 ppbPFAS (1.5 ppt)
4Alexandria 67/1003.5 GPG3.0 ppbPFAS (1.5 ppt)
5Richmond 82/1002.2 GPG4.2 ppbLead 4.2 ppb
6Chesapeake 82/1002.8 GPG3.2 ppbLead 3.2 ppb
7Newport News 82/1002.5 GPG2.8 ppbLead 2.8 ppb
8Hampton 82/1002.5 GPG3.0 ppbLead 3.0 ppb
9Roanoke 82/1002.0 GPG2.5 ppbLead 2.5 ppb
10Suffolk 82/1002.8 GPG2.5 ppbLead 2.5 ppb
Score Distribution

How Virginia's 11 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:

Excellent (85–100)
0 cities
Good (70–84)
7 cities
Moderate (60–69)
4 cities
Poor (below 60)
0 cities
Largest Cities in Virginia — Water Quality

Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.












CityPopulationScoreHardnessKey Issues
Virginia Beach450K 67/1002.6 GPGPFAS
Chesapeake249K 82/1002.8 GPG—
Norfolk243K 67/1002.8 GPGPFAS
Arlington237K 67/1003.5 GPGPFAS
Richmond225K 82/1002.2 GPG—
Newport News181K 82/1002.5 GPG—
Alexandria159K 67/1003.5 GPGPFAS
Hampton137K 82/1002.5 GPG—
Roanoke100K 82/1002.0 GPG—
Suffolk92K 82/1002.8 GPG—
Lynchburg82K 82/1001.8 GPG—
Hard Water in Virginia

Virginia generally has soft to moderate water. Average: 2.6 GPG (Soft). Most residents do not need a softener.

PFAS in Virginia Water

PFAS have been detected in 4 of 11 cities (36%) in Virginia. Highest: Virginia Beach at 2.5 ppt. Affected: Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Arlington, Alexandria. A reverse osmosis filter is recommended.

PFAS Guide RO for PFAS
Lead in Virginia Water

All Virginia cities have lead below 5 ppb. Average: 2.9 ppb. Individual homes with older plumbing may have higher levels.

Water Sources in Virginia

Where Virginia gets its drinking water, based on 11 water systems.



Source TypeCities% of Total
Surface Water1091%
Mixed (Ground + Surface)19%
Recommended Filter for Virginia

4 cities have PFAS. Reverse osmosis is the most effective solution.

All Virginia Cities — Ranked
#CityPop.ScoreHardnessLeadPFASTDS
1Virginia Beach450K 67/1002.6 GPG (Soft)2.0 ppb⚠️ Yes (2.5 ppt)88 ppm
2Norfolk243K 67/1002.8 GPG (Soft)3.5 ppb⚠️ Yes (2.2 ppt)95 ppm
3Alexandria159K 67/1003.5 GPG (Soft)3.0 ppb⚠️ Yes (1.5 ppt)120 ppm
4Arlington237K 67/1003.5 GPG (Soft)2.5 ppb⚠️ Yes (1.5 ppt)120 ppm
5Chesapeake249K 82/1002.8 GPG (Soft)3.2 ppb✅ No95 ppm
6Richmond225K 82/1002.2 GPG (Soft)4.2 ppb✅ No72 ppm
7Newport News181K 82/1002.5 GPG (Soft)2.8 ppb✅ No82 ppm
8Hampton137K 82/1002.5 GPG (Soft)3.0 ppb✅ No82 ppm
9Roanoke100K 82/1002.0 GPG (Soft)2.5 ppb✅ No62 ppm
10Suffolk92K 82/1002.8 GPG (Soft)2.5 ppb✅ No90 ppm
11Lynchburg82K 82/1001.8 GPG (Soft)2.2 ppb✅ No55 ppm
Water Utilities in Virginia

Virginia has 11 utilities. Major: Virginia Beach Dept of Public Utilities, Richmond Department of Public Utilities, Norfolk Dept of Utilities, City of Chesapeake Public Utilities, Arlington County Water.

Sources: Lake Gaston and local reservoirs, James River, Lake Gaston, Potomac River, Lee Hall and Harwood Mill reservoirs.

Frequently Asked Questions
Which city has the best water in Virginia?
Richmond scores highest at 82/100. Source: James River.
Which city has the worst water in Virginia?
Virginia Beach scores lowest at 67/100 due to PFAS detected.
Is Virginia water hard or soft?
Average hardness: 2.6 GPG (Soft). 3.7 GPG below the US average of 6.3 GPG. 0 of 11 cities have hard/very hard water.
Has PFAS been found in Virginia water?
PFAS have been detected in 4 of 11 cities (36%) in Virginia. Highest: Virginia Beach at 2.5 ppt. Affected: Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Arlington, Alexandria. A reverse osmosis filter is recommended.
What water filter should I use in Virginia?
4 cities have PFAS. Reverse osmosis is the most effective solution.
How does Virginia water compare to the US average?
Score: 76.5/100 (1.4 points below US avg 77.9). Hardness: 2.6 GPG (3.7 GPG below US avg 6.3).
Where does Virginia get its drinking water?Where does Virginia get its drinking water?
Virginia water comes from: Surface Water: 10 cities (91%), Mixed (Ground + Surface): 1 cities (9%).
Data Sources & Methodology
  • EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
  • USGS regional water monitoring data

PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.

How we analyze water Data sources
All Virginia Cities with Water Reports

11 city water quality reports available for Virginia.

11 Reports
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Showing all 11 cities
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