Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
What's in Newport News, VA tap water
44 contaminants were measured in the Newport News, VA water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 7 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 44
- Over federal limit
- 7
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- PFOS
- Service area
- VA
- PFOSPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Maximum4.9 ng/Llimit 2 ng/L · 2.5× the limit
- PFBAPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range2.6–3.8 ng/Llimit 2 ng/L · 1.9× the limit
- Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Maximum3.7 ng/Llimit 2 ng/L · 1.9× the limit
- Perfluoropentanoic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Maximum3.6 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") · Range2.1–3.3 ng/Llimit 2 ng/L · 1.6× the limit
- ChlorineDisinfectants · Range0–5.4 mg/Llimit 4 mg/L · 1.4× the limit
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
1 PFAS compound above EPA limits in Newport News, VA
The EPA finalized the first-ever federal drinking-water limits for six PFAS compounds in April 2024. These numbers come straight from EPA's UCMR5 lab dataset — every U.S. system serving more than 3,300 people tested every PFAS sample at an entry point to its distribution system. PFAS not listed below were either tested and not detected, or not yet sampled.
PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)
● Over EPA limit (1.5×)below national p90 (19.900000000000006 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
● Below limitbelow national p90 (12.049999999999997 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFBA
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (18 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFPeA
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (15.95999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxA
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (12.190000000000003 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
Newport News, VA's drinking water comes from surface water, drawn from 6 sources.
Source
- CHICKAHOMINY R
- DIASCUND CREEK
- HARWOOD MILL
- LEE HALL
- + 2 more
Treatment
- HARWOOD MILL
- LEE HALL - PLANT 5
Distribution
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
20 historically-detected contaminants in Newport News, 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
HAA5 worst: 2013 | 0.054 mg/L 90% | 0.06 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
GROSS BETA worst: 2016 | 2.5 mrem/yr within | 4 mrem/yr | '16 |
TTHM worst: 2018 | 0.046 mg/L within | 0.08 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
FLUORIDE worst: 2013 | 1.08 mg/L within | 4 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
RADIUM 226 228 worst: 2016 | 0.8 pCi/L within below national p90 | 5 pCi/L | '16 |
BARIUM worst: 2019 | 0.0272 mg/L within below national p90 | 2 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE NITRITE worst: 2017 | 0.111 mg/L within | 10 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE worst: 2017 | 0.11 mg/L within | 10 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRITE worst: 2012 | 0.004 mg/L within | 1 mg/L | '12'13'14'16'17'18'19 |
COPPER worst: 2012 | 0.00297 mg/L below national p90 | — | '12'13'14'15'16'19 |
LEAD worst: 2013 | 0.00461 mg/L | — | '13'16 |
DBAA worst: 2012 | 0.002 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'17'19 |
DCAA worst: 2012 | 0.023 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
MBAA worst: 2012 | 0.013 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18 |
MCAA worst: 2012 | 0.011 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
TCAA worst: 2012 | 0.022 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.007 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMOFORM worst: 2012 | 0.001 mg/L | — | '12'14'15'19 |
CHLOROFORM worst: 2012 | 0.034 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.003 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | 2.1–3.3 ng/LRangeSystem-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. | 0–5.4 mg/LRangeRange of Individual Test Results Low | 4 mg/LMCLG | At or above the limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium, TotalTotal chromium — the sum of all chromium forms, from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 1.3–1.5 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 100 ug/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/LRangeSystem-wide | 2 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | Not detected ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 50 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Thallium | Not detected ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 0.5 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | Not detected ug/LMaximumMax Conc | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyanide | Not detected mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 0 mg/LMCLG | None detected |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli (E. coli)Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. | 0MaximumMax Conc | 0MCLG | None detected |
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 0MaximumMax Conc | 0MCLG | None detected |
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzene | Not detected ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Dichloromethane | Not detected ug/LMaximumMax Conc | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| Ethylbenzene | Not detected ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 700 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| TetrachloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (PCE) used in dry cleaning and degreasing. | Not detected ug/LRangeSystem-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. | 0–0.6 pCi/LRangeSystem-wide | 0 pCi/LMCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about Newport News, VA's water
+Is Newport News, VA tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Newport News, 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 Newport News, VA tap water?
44 contaminants were measured in Newport News, VA's 2024 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 Newport News, VA tap water?
7 contaminants in Newport News, VA's 2024 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 Newport News, VA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 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 Newport News, VA's 2024 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 Newport News, 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 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.