Drinking water quality · 2025
· Verified
What's in James City County, VA tap water
44 contaminants were measured in the James City County, VA water system's 2025 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 7 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2025
- Contaminants measured
- 44
- Over federal limit
- 7
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- PFOS
- Service area
- VA
- PFOSPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range3.7–4.9 ng/Llimit 2 ng/L · 2.5× the limit
- PFBAPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Maximum3.8 ng/Llimit 2 ng/L · 1.9× the limit
- Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range0–3.7 ng/Llimit 2 ng/L · 1.9× the limit
- Perfluoropentanoic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range2.5–3.6 ng/Llimit 2 ng/L · 1.8× the limit
- Perfluorohexanoic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range0–3.5 ng/Llimit 2 ng/L · 1.8× the limit
- PFOAPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Maximum3.3 ng/Llimit 2 ng/L · 1.6× the limit
- ChlorineDisinfectants · Range0–5.4limit 4 · 1.4× the limit
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
James City County, VA buys its drinking water from DUFFIELD_SCOTT CO PSA.
Source
Treatment
Distribution
Also buys water from DUFFIELD_SCOTT CO PSA.
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
2 contaminants historically over EPA limits in James City County, 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
TTHM worst: 2012 | 0.139 mg/L 1.7× | 0.08 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
HAA5 worst: 2019 | 0.077 mg/L 1.3× | 0.06 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DBAA worst: 2019 | 0.003 mg/L | — | '19 |
DCAA worst: 2012 | 0.0092 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
MBAA worst: 2015 | 0.002 mg/L | — | '15 |
MCAA worst: 2012 | 0.0024 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18 |
TCAA worst: 2012 | 0.04 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.009 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
CHLOROFORM worst: 2012 | 0.129 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.0011 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18 |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | 3.7–4.9 ng/LRangeSystem-wide | 2 ng/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 3.8 ng/LMaximumSystem-wide | 2 ng/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0–3.7 ng/LRangeSystem-wide | 2 ng/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 2.5–3.6 ng/LRangeSystem-wide | 2 ng/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0–3.5 ng/LRangeSystem-wide | 2 ng/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | 3.3 ng/LMaximumSystem-wide | 2 ng/LMCL | At or above the limit |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 0–5.4RangeSystem-wide | 4MCLG | At or above the limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.77 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.032–0.065 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 10 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| NitriteA compound from fertilizer runoff, sewage, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.002–0.003 mg/LRangeRange of Individual Test Results Low | 1 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| Cyanide | Not detected ug/LMaximumMax Conc | 200 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 0–2.6 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 15 ug/LAction level | Within the limit |
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.012–0.163 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| Chromium, TotalTotal chromium — the sum of all chromium forms, from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 1.5 ug/LMaximumMax Conc | 100 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.024–0.026 mg/LRangeRange of Individual Test Results Low | 2 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| Antimony | Not detected ug/LMaximumMax Conc | 6 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | Not detected ug/LMaximumMax Conc | None set | None detected |
| Beryllium | Not detected ug/LMaximumMax Conc | 4 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Cadmium | Not detected ug/LMaximumMax Conc | 5 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| MercuryA toxic metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial runoff. | Not detected ug/LMaximumMax Conc | 2 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | Not detected ug/LMaximumMax Conc | 50 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Thallium | Not detected ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 0.5 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
Disinfection byproducts
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli (E. coli)Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. | 0RangeSystem-wide | 0MCLG | None detected |
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 0RangeSystem-wide | 0MCLG | None detected |
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzene | Not detected ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Dichloromethane | Not detected ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Ethylbenzene | Not detected ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 700 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| TetrachloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (PCE) used in dry cleaning and degreasing. | Not detected ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Toluene | Not detected ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 1 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| TrichloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (TCE) used in metal degreasing. | Not detected ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Volatile Organic Compounds | Not detected ug/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| XylenesA group of industrial solvents found in gasoline and paint. | Not detected ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 10 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 0.53–1.82RangeRange of Individual Test Results Low | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.105 NTUMaximumMax Conc | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | 0.2–0.6 pCi/LRangeRange of Individual Test Results Low | 0 pCi/LMCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 0.6 pCi/LMaximumMax Conc | 0 pCi/LMCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
| Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. | 3.1–6.8 pCi/LRangeSystem-wide | 0 pCi/LMCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about James City County, VA's water
+Is James City County, VA tap water safe to drink in 2025?
The 2025 Consumer Confidence Report for the James City County, VA water utility lists 7 contaminants at or above the federal limit: PFOS, PFBA, Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, Perfluoropentanoic acid, Perfluorohexanoic acid, PFOA, and 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 James City County, VA tap water?
44 contaminants were measured in James City County, VA's 2025 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, vocs & pesticides, and disinfection byproducts. 36 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 James City County, VA tap water?
7 contaminants in James City County, VA's 2025 report sit at or above the federal limit: PFOS (2.5× the limit); PFBA (1.9× the limit); Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (1.9× the limit); Perfluoropentanoic acid (1.8× the limit); Perfluorohexanoic acid (1.8× the limit); PFOA (1.6× the limit); Chlorine (1.4× 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 James City County, VA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2025 report is PFOS, at 2.5× the federal threshold. It belongs to the pfas ("forever chemicals") family of contaminants.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from James City County, VA's 2025 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 James City County, 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 2025 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.