Water System Report VA

City of Alexandria,

EPA ID: VA6510010 · 159,200 people served · 13 ZIP codes

Five clean years on EPA record — City of Alexandria,, 159,200 residents served.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

A · 85
Avg Safety Score
159,200
People Served
13
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.004 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
0
Contaminants Flagged
$594K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Alexandria, Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade A

Service Area Demographics

$105,044
Median Household Income
344,109
Service Area Population
15%
Disadvantaged Population
29th
Poverty Percentile
12th
Energy Burden Percentile
67%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Alexandria, serves a community with a median household income of $105,044 and an estimated 344,109 residents across its service area. Approximately 67% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

City of Alexandria,'s water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
35th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
58th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Fairfax County, Virginia rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

53 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
16 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 77% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 76 detections recorded. 16 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

State limits: PFOA: 0.012 ppt, PFOS: 0.012 ppt, PFBS: 0.14 ppt, HFPO-DA: 0.08 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Virginia

A 0 violations
Pwcsa - East
168,747 people
C 2 violations
Pwcsa - West
136,409 people
C 2 violations
C 4 violations
Stafford County Utilities
123,684 people
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,246
PFAS Treatment $562
Total Estimated Cost $1,808

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,808 (one-time) vs. $330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

ALEXANDRIA, CITY OF (EPA ID: VA6510010) is a community water system in Virginia that serves approximately 159,200 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 13 ZIP codes across 5 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: A (85/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
22301 0.004 mg/L No N/A
22305 0.004 mg/L No N/A
22314 0.004 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

Need help with your 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.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 11 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 2 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Alexandria, (VA6510010) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Alexandria, water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, City of Alexandria, has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does City of Alexandria, serve?

City of Alexandria, serves approximately 159,200 people across 13 ZIP codes in Virginia.

Where does City of Alexandria, get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
(800) 452-6863
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Contact information from Virginia American Water — Alexandria District Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Purchased from another utility
Treated water purchased wholesale from another water system.
Disinfectant used
Chloramines
Treatment chemicals reported
chloraminesfluoridecoagulants

Source: Virginia American Water — Alexandria District Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Multi-stage
Multiple treatment stages — typically coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. Common for surface-water systems requiring removal of particulates, microorganisms, and dissolved organic compounds before disinfection.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chloramines
Fluoridation
Added at low levels per state or local public-health policy for dental health.
fluoride
Other reported chemicals
Reported by the utility but not in our annotation dictionary.
coagulants

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

Microbial contaminantsInorganic contaminantsPesticides and herbicidesOrganic chemical contaminantsRadioactive contaminantsUrban stormwater runoffIndustrial dischargesWastewater discharges

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Virginia American Water — Alexandria District Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
116
Detections
6
Latest sample
6/9/2024
Highest analyte
PFPeA: 6.4 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFPeA 6.4 ppt
PFHxA 4.9 ppt
PFBS 3.5 ppt

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead service line replacement plan from Virginia American Water — Alexandria District Consumer Confidence Report:
Virginia American Water completed Lead Service Line Inventory accessible at https://www.amwater.com/vaaw/Water-Quality/lead-and-drinking-water. Customers may contact Virginia American Water for more information. Lead 90th percentile in 2022 was <1.0 ppb with zero homes above action level across 50 sites sampled.

Lead Service Line Replacement Tracker

This water utility's lead service line (LSL) replacement program is tracked from public Consumer Confidence Report filings. Email signup notifies subscribers when the utility files an updated replacement plan or progress milestone.

Get notified on replacement progress

Subscribers receive an email when this utility updates its LSL plan, files a milestone report, or adjusts replacement timelines. No marketing, no third-party sharing.

By submitting you agree to Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime via the link in any email.

Virginia American Water — Alexandria District

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. LSL replacement-program data is sourced from public CCR filings published by the utility. Subscription notifications are based on automated parsing of subsequent CCR releases.

Learn more about Lead and Copper Rule replacement requirements →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

690
Confirmed Lead
97
Galvanized — Replacement Required
18,266
Unknown Material
7,892
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 159,200
Reported to Virginia

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Aesthetic water quality

These measurements describe the look, taste, and feel of the water this utility delivers. They are not contaminant violations — they sit alongside federal Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) which the EPA publishes as non-enforceable guidance.

pH
7.8
How acidic or basic the water is on a 0-14 scale. Drinking water is typically near neutral.
EPA secondary range: 6.5 – 8.5
Fluoride
0.78 ppm
Utility adds fluoride
Measured fluoride concentration in parts per million.
EPA secondary MCL: 2.0 ppm
Alkalinity
119 ppm CaCO₃
Capacity of the water to neutralize acids, expressed as calcium carbonate equivalent.

Aesthetic measurements from Virginia American Water — Alexandria District Consumer Confidence Report.

Aesthetic measurements are reported by the utility from its annual sampling. EPA Secondary MCLs are advisory thresholds — values outside them indicate aesthetic concerns such as taste or appearance, not health violations. Federal contaminant testing is shown in the sections above.

Hard water detected in Virginia American Water — Alexandria District

Your utility reported water hardness of 191 ppm CaCO₃ (11.2 grains per gallon) in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report. This is in the hard range and may cause scale buildup, reduced appliance lifespan, and dry skin or hair.

Solutions for hard water

There are three common approaches to treating hard water: salt-based ion-exchange softeners (most effective, require salt refills), salt-free conditioners (lower maintenance, scale prevention only), and reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink (cooking and drinking water only). Aquasana, EcoWater, Pelican, and SpringWell are among the major US brands.

Recommended Aquasana system for your hardness level

Paid Partner. ZipCheckup earns commission on Aquasana purchases. We do not test water or verify product effectiveness for specific hardness levels — manufacturer claims are theirs alone. Consult a certified water-quality professional for personalized advice.

Hardness data parsed from this utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report. Severity bands per USGS hard water classification.

Notable events and violations

This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.

Notable events from the utility's CCR

These bullet entries are the utility's own narration of operational, regulatory, or infrastructure events during the reporting period.

Notable events from Virginia American Water — Alexandria District Consumer Confidence Report:
  • Virginia American Water has had zero drinking water quality violations for 15 years.
  • PFHxA detected at avg 0.0017 ppb and PFPeA at avg 0.0019 ppb in UCMR5; neither compound has an established MCL.
  • During April–June, Fairfax Water uses free chlorine instead of chloramines for annual distribution system flushing, causing detectable chlorine taste and odor.
  • Virginia American Water invested more than $42 million in water system improvements in 2024.

ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Alexandria, safe to drink?
City of Alexandria, earns a A safety grade with 0 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
Should I use a water filter?
City of Alexandria, meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does City of Alexandria, serve?
City of Alexandria, serves approximately 159,200 people with drinking water across 13 ZIP codes.
What is City of Alexandria,'s water source?
City of Alexandria, draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Alexandria,'s water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.004 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Alexandria,'s service area?
The City of Alexandria, service area has a median household income of $105,044. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does City of Alexandria, get its water?
City of Alexandria,'s water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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