Drinking water quality · 2024
What's in Richmond, VA tap water
20 contaminants were measured in the Richmond, VA water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 1 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 20
- Over federal limit
- 1
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- Chloramine
- Service area
- VA
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChloramineA longer-lasting disinfectant made by combining chlorine with ammonia. | 3–5.1 mg/LRangeRichmond's | 4 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 19–46 ug/LRangeRichmond | None set | Within the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 0–32 ug/LRangeRichmond | None set | Within the limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | 1.7 pCi/LReported levelRichmond | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 0.2 pCi/LReported levelRichmond | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. | 2.6 pCi/LReported levelRichmond | 4 pCi/LMCL | Detected — no federal limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.02–0.31 NTURangeSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 0.6Reported levelRichmond | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 3.7 ug/L90th percentileRichmond | 0 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.063 mg/L90th percentileRichmond | 1.3 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.028 mg/LReported levelRichmond | 2 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | Not detected mg/LReported levelRichmond's Results | None set | None detected |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | Not detected mg/LReported levelRichmond's Results | None set | None detected |
| NickelA metal from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | Not detected mg/LReported levelRichmond's Results | None set | None detected |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 14.1 mg/LReported levelRichmond's Results | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate Nitrite | 0.22 mg/LReported levelRichmond | 10 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli (E. coli)Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. | 1MaximumRichmond | 0MCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 5MaximumRichmond | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about Richmond, VA's water
+Is Richmond, VA tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Richmond, VA water utility lists 1 contaminant at or above the federal limit: Chloramine. 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 Richmond, VA tap water?
20 contaminants were measured in Richmond, VA's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, radionuclides, and disinfection byproducts. 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 Richmond, VA tap water?
One contaminant in Richmond, VA's 2024 report sits at or above the federal limit: Chloramine (1.3× 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 Richmond, VA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is Chloramine, at 1.3× 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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, 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.