Monitoring Issues SCHOOL DISTRICT PFAS DETECTED

PFAS Detected in Newport News City Public Schools (VA)

9 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · 3,275,300 people served · Updated 2026-07-23

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Newport News City Public Schools: 14 EPA violations recorded in the past five years.

Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-07-23

A · 87
Avg Safety Score
9
ZIP Codes
9
Water Systems
14
Violations (5yr)
0.0008 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
8
ZIPs with PFAS
Zone 3
Radon Risk

Why School Water Quality Matters

Children drink 2–4× more water per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to contaminants. School water quality affects students for hours every weekday.

Water Quality Overview

The Newport News City Public Schools in Virginia spans 9 ZIP codes served by 9 community water systems, providing water to approximately 3,275,300 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is A (87/100)

  • with the lowest-scoring area at 79/100 .

Water quality in this district ranks better than 87% of ZIP codes nationally.

Why This Matters for Children

Children are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults. The EPA and CDC identify these key risks:

  • Lead exposure - Even low levels of lead can affect brain development, reduce IQ, and cause behavioral problems in children. There is no safe level of lead for children.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") - Linked to immune system effects and developmental delays in children. Children drink more water relative to body weight than adults.
  • Nitrate - Dangerous for infants (can cause "blue baby syndrome"). Agricultural areas often have elevated nitrate.
  • Disinfection byproducts - Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. School water fountains often have stagnant water that concentrates these compounds.

Lead Levels in the District

Metric Value EPA Threshold
Average lead level (90th percentile) 0.0008 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.002 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 0 of 9 -

PFAS Contamination

PFAS ("forever chemicals") detected in 8 of 9 ZIP codes in this district.

Detected compounds: PFBA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFPeA, PFHxA.

Highest measured level: 0.0062 µg/L.

PFAS can accumulate in the body over time. Children's higher water intake relative to body weight makes them particularly susceptible. Reverse osmosis filters (NSF/ANSI 58) are the most effective at removing PFAS.

Learn more about PFAS in drinking water →

EPA Violation History

14 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 7 No 7
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 7 No 7

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low risk)

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
23601 Newport News B (84) 2 0 0.0005 mg/L No
23602 Newport News B (84) 2 0 0.0005 mg/L No
23603 Newport News A (89) 2 0 0.0005 mg/L No
23605 Newport News B (79) 2 0 0.0005 mg/L No
23606 Newport News A (89) 2 0 0.0005 mg/L No
23607 Newport News B (79) 2 0 0.0005 mg/L No
23608 Newport News B (84) 2 0 0.0005 mg/L No
23604 Fort Eustis A (99) 0 0 0.00184 mg/L No
23691 Yorktown A (99) 0 0 0.002 mg/L No

Water Systems Serving This District

Water System Population Served Source ZIP Codes
City of Newport News, 407,300 Surface water 23601, 23602, 23603 +5 more
Fort Eustis 16,900 Surface water 23604, 23608
Yorktown Naval Weapons Station 2,386 Surface water 23691
Lightfoot System 1,950 Groundwater 23691
Cheatham Annex 632 Surface water 23691
Hollins Mobile Home Park 267 Surface water 23601, 23602, 23603 +4 more
Greensprings Mobile Village 181 Groundwater 23691
Mobile Estates 150 Groundwater 23601, 23602, 23603 +4 more

9 water systems total serve this district.

Lead Risk Assessment

Lead risk: ELEVATED. 4 ZIP codes in this district have high lead exposure risk scores based on housing age and infrastructure.

Infrastructure Risk Factors

Risk Factor District Average Why It Matters
Housing built before 1986 63.3% Lead solder was used in plumbing until 1986
Housing built before 1950 20% Lead pipes were common before 1950
Lead service line probability 19.4% Estimated chance of lead pipes connecting homes to water mains
Average lead level (90th pctl) 0.0008 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L
Highest measured lead level 0.002 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L

Schools built before 1986 are especially at risk. Lead can leach from older pipes, fixtures, and solder joints into drinking water — particularly when water sits in pipes overnight or over weekends.

Detailed Violation History

Contaminant Category Total Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 7 No 7
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 7 No 7

Most Recent Violations

  • Violation in ZIP 23601 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 23602 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 23603 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 23605 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 23606 (Unknown date) — Unresolved

Is the Water Safe at Newport News City Public Schools Schools?

Several factors warrant attention for families in the Newport News City Public Schools area:

  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in 8 of 9 ZIP codes. Current levels are below EPA maximums.
  • 63.3% of buildings in this district predate 1986, increasing the risk of lead in school plumbing.

Important context: EPA compliance data measures water quality at the utility level. Individual school buildings — especially older ones — may have additional risks from internal plumbing, lead fixtures, and stagnant water in pipes.

What Parents Should Do

Testing

  1. Request your school's water testing results. Under the EPA's 3Ts program, schools are encouraged to test drinking water. Ask the Newport News City Public Schools school board for the most recent results.
  2. Test your home water. If your home was built before 1986, lead may be present in your plumbing. Free or low-cost test kits are often available from your water utility.
  3. Ask about PFAS testing. PFAS have been detected in this district. Request specific PFAS testing results from your water utility.

Advocacy

  1. Attend school board meetings and ask about the district's water quality testing schedule and remediation plans.
  2. Request lead fixture replacement if your child's school was built before 1986 and hasn't upgraded its plumbing.

Resources

ZIP Code Reports for This District

What Parents Can Do

  1. Request lead testing at your child's school - The EPA's 3Ts program (Training, Testing, Taking Action) provides guidance for schools. Ask your school board about their water testing schedule.
  2. Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
  3. Test your home's water - Especially if your home has older plumbing (pre-1986) that may contain lead solder or lead pipes.
  4. Address PFAS - If PFAS are detected in your area, a reverse osmosis or activated carbon block filter rated NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 can reduce levels significantly.
  5. Pack water from home - If you're concerned about school water quality, send your child with a water bottle filled at home (filtered if possible).
  6. Stay informed - Bookmark this page to check for updates on water quality in your school district.

Need help with school water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe in Newport News City Public Schools schools?

Based on EPA data, water systems serving Newport News City Public Schools have no health-based violations in the past 5 years. However, school buildings with older plumbing may still have localized issues. Testing at the tap (not just at the treatment plant) is important.

Does Newport News City Public Schools test for lead in school water?

Federal law does not require schools to test for lead in drinking water (except in some states with specific mandates). The EPA's voluntary 3Ts program encourages testing. Contact your school district office to ask about their testing schedule and results.

What level of lead is safe for children?

There is no safe level of lead for children, according to the CDC. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) triggers corrective action for water systems, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water contain no more than 0.001 mg/L (1 ppb).

Are there PFAS in Newport News City Public Schools water?

Yes, PFAS have been detected in 8 of 9 ZIP codes served by this district. PFAS are "forever chemicals" that do not break down and can accumulate in the body. The EPA has set maximum contaminant levels for certain PFAS compounds. Reverse osmosis filters are the most effective at removing PFAS from drinking water.

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Home → School Districts → Virginia → Newport News City Public Schools

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). PFAS Detected in Newport News City Public Schools (VA). https://zipcheckup.com/schools/newport-news-city-public-schools-va/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-schools-newport-news-city-public-schools-va,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{PFAS Detected in Newport News City Public Schools (VA)}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/schools/newport-news-city-public-schools-va/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

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