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
- 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.
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
1 contaminant historically over EPA limits in Chesapeake, VA
Every U.S. public water system reports compliance-monitoring data to EPA. The Six-Year Review releases the 2012–2019 window as a single dataset — here's what your system reported, year by year. Values shown are the highest detection per analyte per year, compared to the federal MCL.
| Contaminant | Worst detection | EPA limit | Years (2012–2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
GROSS BETA worst: 2014 | 4.1 mrem/yr 1.0× | 4 mrem/yr | '14 |
TTHM worst: 2012 | 0.072 mg/L 90% | 0.08 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
HAA5 worst: 2012 | 0.049 mg/L 82% | 0.06 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
FLUORIDE worst: 2013 | 1.16 mg/L within | 4 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
ARSENIC worst: 2016 | 0.002 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.01 mg/L | '12'13'16 |
RADIUM 226 228 worst: 2014 | 0.3 pCi/L within below national p90 | 5 pCi/L | '14 |
NITRATE NITRITE worst: 2018 | 0.48 mg/L within | 10 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18 |
NITRATE worst: 2012 | 0.19 mg/L within | 10 mg/L | '12'13 |
BARIUM worst: 2016 | 0.036 mg/L within below national p90 | 2 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
COPPER worst: 2012 | 0.00475 mg/L below national p90 | — | '12'13'14'15'18'19 |
LEAD worst: 2012 | 0.00015 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'18'19 |
DBAA worst: 2016 | 0.011 mg/L | — | '16'17'18'19 |
DCAA worst: 2015 | 0.0082 mg/L | — | '15'16'17'18'19 |
MBAA worst: 2017 | 0.00337 mg/L | — | '17'18 |
MCAA worst: 2017 | 0.001 mg/L | — | '17'19 |
TCAA worst: 2015 | 0.0052 mg/L | — | '15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2014 | 0.0049 mg/L | — | '14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMOFORM worst: 2015 | 0.0007 mg/L | — | '15'19 |
CHLOROFORM worst: 2014 | 0.011 mg/L | — | '14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE worst: 2014 | 0.001 mg/L | — | '14'15'16'17'18'19 |
PWSID VA3550051 · Source: EPA Six-Year Review 4 (2012–2019). Values are the highest detection in each calendar year; non-detect years are omitted. Year tags above show every year with a detection.
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 3.3–4.6 mg/LReported levelN | 4 mg/LMRDL | At or above the 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
| |||
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Northwest River System +1 more
| |||
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/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)ADONA, a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Northwest River System +1 more
| |||
| 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 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Northwest River System +1 more
| |||
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acidHFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System +1 more
| |||
| Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acidNonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid (PFEESA)Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Northwest River System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)Perfluorodecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Northwest River System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)Perfluorododecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Northwest River System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluorononanoic acidPerfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Northwest River System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA)Perfluorotetradecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)Perfluorotridecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)Perfluoroundecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | Not detected ng/LAverageWestern Branch System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Western Branch System +1 more
| |||
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | Not detected ng/LAverageNorthwest River System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Western Branch System (WB EP001) Dates of Sampling, Northwest River System (NWR EP001) Sampling Event, Northwest River System +1 more
| |||
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 2.4–2.9Reported levelN | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.27–0.27 NTUReported levelLg | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
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. 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. 10 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 (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, at 1.1× the federal threshold. It belongs to the disinfectants 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.