Drinking water quality · 2023
· Verified
What's in Chesapeake, VA tap water
40 contaminants were measured in the Chesapeake, VA water system's 2023 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 1 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2023
- Contaminants measured
- 40
- Over federal limit
- 1
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- Chlorine Total
- Service area
- VA
1.1× the limit
state-level CCR
At or above the federal limit
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
Chesapeake, VA's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 12 sources.
Source
12ground water
- ASR WELL
- DEEP WELL NWR-1
- DEEP WELL NWR-2
- DEEP WELL NWR-3
- + 8 more
Treatment
2treatment plants
- NORTHWEST RIVER WTP
- LAKE GASTON WATER TREATMENT PLANT
Distribution
7storage units
Source: EPA SDWIS facilities inventory. Methodology.
Compliance history
Federal Safe Drinking Water Act violation & enforcement records (EPA SDWIS). A violation is a regulatory determination by the state or EPA — separate from the measured levels above.
- Maximum contaminant level exceededHealth-based2 violations on record · most recent Aug 2003resolved
- Treatment technique violationHealth-based1 violation on record · most recent Dec 2002resolved
Source: EPA SDWIS / ECHO. View the full federal record on EPA ECHO ↗
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine Total | 3.3–4.6 mg/LReported levelN | 4 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 0–10 ug/L90th percentileP2 | None set | Within the limit |
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.141–0.823 mg/L90th percentileP2 | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 40–40 ug/LReported levelN | None set | Within the limit |
| LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 44 ug/LRunning annual avgP | None set | Within the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 30 ug/LRunning annual avgP | None set | Within the limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 2 mg/LReported levelNwr & Lg | None set | Within the limit |
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.3–0.3 mg/LReported levelN | 10 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.27–0.27 NTUReported levelLg | None set | Within the limit |
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 1.51–1.58Reported levelNwr & Lg | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | 1.67–0.73 pCi/LReported levelP | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Nwr & Lg Ep#1, Nwr & Lg Ep#2
| |||
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 0.36–0.65 pCi/LReported levelP | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Nwr & Lg Ep#1, Nwr & Lg Ep#2
| |||
| Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. | 4.1 pCi/LReported levelNwr & Lg Ep#2 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Nwr & Lg Ep#2, Nwr & Lg Ep#1
| |||
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)ADONA, a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acidHFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acidNonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid (PFEESA)Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)Perfluorodecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)Perfluorododecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluorononanoic acidPerfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA)Perfluorotetradecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)Perfluorotridecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)Perfluoroundecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System (NWR EP001) | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001), Western Branch System (WB EP001)
| |||
Source: Chesapeake, VA's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. utility is required to publish. The numbers on this page are the utility's own. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
People also ask about Chesapeake, VA's water
+Is Chesapeake, VA tap water safe to drink in 2023?
The 2023 Consumer Confidence Report for the Chesapeake, VA water utility lists 1 contaminant at or above the federal limit: Chlorine Total. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Chesapeake, VA tap water?
40 contaminants were measured in Chesapeake, VA's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning pfas ("forever chemicals"), metals, and radionuclides. 5 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Chesapeake, VA tap water?
One contaminant in Chesapeake, VA's 2023 report sits at or above the federal limit: Chlorine Total (1.1× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Chesapeake, VA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2023 report is Chlorine Total, at 1.1× the federal threshold. It belongs to the other family of contaminants.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Chesapeake, VA's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Chesapeake, VA's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2023 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.