Virginia Beach tap water is safe to drink. The municipal water supply consistently adheres to and often surpasses state and federal regulatory benchmarks for safety. The City of Virginia Beach Public Utilities provides safe, high-quality drinking water, a commitment reflected in its annual water quality reports.
Water Sources and Safety Determination
Virginia Beach obtains its water primarily from a large-scale regional system relying on surface water sources. The main source is Lake Gaston, a reservoir located in Brunswick County, Virginia. Water travels through a 76-mile pipeline before reaching Lake Prince, a reservoir located in Suffolk.
This source water is pumped to the Moores Bridges Water Treatment Plant, which is owned and operated by the City of Norfolk. Since the water comes from a surface source, it has a high susceptibility to contamination, requiring thorough treatment before distribution.
At the treatment plant, the water undergoes extensive filtering and disinfection to remove particles, bacteria, algae, and other impurities. This advanced treatment transforms the raw source water into potable drinking water that meets all regulatory safety requirements.
Regulatory Oversight and Testing Standards
Water safety is governed by a multilayered system of regulations and oversight. The foundation is the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Compliance with these federal standards is monitored at the state level by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
The regulatory framework requires Virginia Beach Public Utilities to perform rigorous and frequent testing. The Moores Bridges Water Treatment Plant tests the treated water for approximately 151 different substances before release. This extensive testing includes checks for microbial contaminants, inorganic and organic chemicals, and radionuclides.
Water quality is continually monitored throughout the city’s distribution system. Utility staff collect and analyze an average of 231 to 264 samples monthly across various points. This routine surveillance ensures the water remains safe as it travels from the treatment facility to the consumer’s tap.
Common Quality Characteristics and Specific Concerns
Residents often notice aesthetic qualities like taste, odor, and hardness, which are common characteristics of treated municipal supplies. Disinfection, typically using chlorine, is necessary to eliminate harmful pathogens. This process can result in a slight chemical taste or odor, which indicates the water has been properly disinfected and is not a health concern.
A significant concern is the presence of lead in drinking water, though this primarily stems from household plumbing. Virginia Beach’s source water is not the cause of contamination; instead, lead enters the water from older service lines, fixtures, and internal plumbing materials.
To mitigate this, the water treatment process includes a corrosion control inhibitor. This inhibitor forms a protective layer on the interior of pipes, preventing lead and copper from dissolving into the water supply. The city also monitors for emerging contaminants, such as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
Specific testing of the city’s finished drinking water has shown that PFOA and PFOS were not detected. This indicates the treatment process is effective in removing these compounds, even though the broader regional system is subject to monitoring.
Accessing Real-Time Water Quality Reports
Residents can verify water safety and quality by reviewing the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Mandated by the EPA for public transparency, the CCR summarizes all test results, contaminant levels, and compliance status for the preceding year.
The most recent CCR is available online through the Virginia Beach Public Utilities website. Paper copies are also available at the Public Utilities business office, public libraries, and recreation centers. Residents may request a copy to be mailed directly by contacting Public Utilities via phone.