Water Quality in Virginia Beach, VA: 1 Violation - Grade N/A
7 water systems · 11 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 1 violations across 11 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Virginia Beach. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Virginia Beach
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23455 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 23462 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 23451 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 23452 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 23453 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 23454 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 23456 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 23459 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 23460 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 23461 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 23464 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Virginia Beach, Virginia has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 11 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 1 violation (all classified as monitoring/reporting type in the available record) across 11 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Virginia Beach water systems is 0.0006 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 11 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 56% of homes built before 1986, Virginia Beach has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is served by 7 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 457,066 people across 20 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 8 enforcement actions against water systems serving Virginia Beach. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Virginia Beach
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Virginia Beach Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Virginia Beach's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 2 | 2 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 4 enforcement actions against water systems serving Virginia Beach. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2024-06-14 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-02-22 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2024-02-22 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-02-12 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2024-06-14.
Virginia Beach vs. Nearby Virginia Cities
How Virginia Beach's water quality compares to similar cities in Virginia:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 11 | 1 | 7 | 457,066 |
| Richmond | 16 | 1 | 3 | 404,093 |
| Alexandria | 14 | 0 | 3 | 344,502 |
| Chesapeake | 6 | 4 | 8 | 251,477 |
Recommended Water Filters for Virginia Beach
Based on contaminants detected in Virginia Beach's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)
- Removes: Chloramine
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
- Recommended products:
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Waterdrop Chubby Pitcher
- Berkey Travel
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Virginia Beach
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Virginia Beach's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 23455 | 1 | 0 |
| 23462 | 1 | 0 |
| 23451 | 0 | 0 |
| 23452 | 0 | 0 |
| 23453 | 0 | 0 |
| 23454 | 0 | 0 |
| 23456 | 0 | 0 |
| 23459 | 0 | 0 |
| 23460 | 0 | 0 |
| 23461 | 0 | 0 |
| 23464 | 0 | 0 |
Common Questions About Virginia Beach Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Virginia Beach, Virginia:
Is Virginia Beach water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Virginia Beach's 7 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Virginia Beach tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 11 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.
What is the best water filter for Virginia Beach? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, whole-house or under-sink) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Virginia Beach vs. Virginia Average
Understanding how Virginia Beach compares to the broader Virginia average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Virginia Beach.
ZIP Codes in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach spans 20 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 11 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.