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Richmond, VA Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Richmond, VA — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Richmond's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Richmond, City Of PWSID: VA4760100 Updated: 2026 Q2
✅

No federal limits exceeded on record

Lead is 3.59 ppb, 24% of the action level and no violations are open. No PFAS was detected.

A

Richmond earns an A for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 3.59 ppb — 24% of the federal action level
PFAS tested, none detected
3 violations since 2015, 1 health-based
No violations currently open
Richmond's lead level vs. all Virginia community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 3.59 ppb — 24% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 23% of Virginia utilities
Population Served
221449
~83254 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
Active Violations
0
3 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
24% of EPA action level
3.59 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 3.59 ppb, 24% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
Revised Total Coliform Rule MONITORING FAILURE — — 2021 Resolved
CARBON, TOTAL TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — TT 2020 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule MONITORING FAILURE — — 2018 Resolved
Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

3 violations are on record since 2015, of which 1 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Richmond, City Of
PWSID VA4760100
Water source Surface water — Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
Population served 221,449
Service connections 83,254
Systems serving this area 3
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Richmond tap water safe to drink? ▼
No federal limit is exceeded on record. No violations are currently open. Lead is 3.59 ppb, 24% of the action level.
Does Richmond water have PFAS? ▼
It was tested for the six regulated PFAS compounds and none were detected.
Who supplies water to Richmond? ▼
Richmond, City Of (PWSID VA4760100), one of 3 systems serving this area. Surface water. Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2026-02-23. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Richmond Residents Do?

1
Read your annual water report
Your supplier publishes a Consumer Confidence Report each July covering the prior year.
2
Check for a lead service line
Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.
3
Flush before drinking
If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

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