Virginia Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Virginia, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Purcellville, Town Of has the highest PFAS in Virginia at 46.6 ppt (12x the EPA limit). Amherst, Town Of has the highest lead at 51.5 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Virginia
Public water systems in Virginia with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purcellville, Town Of | Purcellville · 8,929 served | 46.6 | 7 | 12x |
| 2 | Bealeton Regional | Warrenton · 4,250 served | 44.6 | 9 | 11x |
| 3 | Mount Hermon | Chatham · 4,145 served | 27.1 | 1 | 7x |
| 4 | Manassas, City Of | Manassas · 42,696 served | 23.3 | 2 | 6x |
| 5 | Dale City | Hopewell · 72,062 served | 21.9 | 7 | 5x |
| 6 | Fairfax County Water Authority | Herndon · 1,121,613 served | 21.5 | 8 | 5x |
| 7 | Fort Belvoir North Area | – | 21.3 | 7 | 5x |
| 8 | Fort Belvoir | Fort Belvoir · 39,303 served | 21.2 | 7 | 5x |
| 9 | Pwcsa - East | Woodbridge · 168,747 served | 19 | 7 | 5x |
| 10 | Chesterfield Co Central Water System | Chesterfield · 389,897 served | 15 | 1 | 4x |
| 11 | Castlewood - Rcpsa | – | 14.3 | 3 | 4x |
| 12 | Ncsa - Wintergreen | – | 13 | 6 | 3x |
Highest Lead Levels in Virginia
Community water systems in Virginia with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amherst, Town Of | Amherst · 2,231 served | 51.5 | 3.4x over |
| 2 | Northeast Regional Water Systems | Waverly · 3,214 served | 35.8 | 2.4x over |
| 3 | Kgcsa-Dahlgren | King George · 2,650 served | 26.2 | 1.7x over |
| 4 | Fort Story | Ft. Eustis · 2,510 served | 17.9 | 1.2x over |
| 5 | Wilderness | Madison · 13,274 served | 13.4 | within |
| 6 | Four Winds Campground | Rappahannock Academy · 2,065 served | 13 | within |
| 7 | Campbell County Central System | Lynchburg · 21,761 served | 12.7 | within |
| 8 | Waverly, Town Of | Alexandria · 2,640 served | 11.8 | within |
| 9 | Martinsville, City Of | Martinsville · 13,600 served | 11.1 | within |
| 10 | Spring Meadows-Meadow Gate | Rockville · 2,362 served | 11 | within |
| 11 | Gordonsville, Town Of | Gordonsville · 1,800 served | 10.8 | within |
| 12 | South Hill, Town Of | South Hill · 4,600 served | 10.5 | within |
Most EPA Violations in Virginia
Community water systems in Virginia with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emporia, City Of | Emporia · 7,594 served | 19 |
| 2 | Brunswick Ida - North | Lawrenceville · 1,035 served | 18 |
| 3 | Lawrenceville, Town Of | Lawrenceville · 4,806 served | 17 |
| 4 | Quantico Marine Base-Mainside | Mcincr, Mcb Quantico · 19,000 served | 17 |
| 5 | Wilderness | Madison · 13,274 served | 13 |
| 6 | Buckingham Co Water System | Buckingham · 5,759 served | 11 |
| 7 | Bowling Green, Town Of | Bowling Green · 1,233 served | 8 |
| 8 | Amherst, Town Of | Amherst · 2,231 served | 7 |
| 9 | Hurt, Town Of | Hurt · 1,300 served | 6 |
| 10 | Crewe, Town Of | Crewe · 2,465 served | 6 |
| 11 | Blackstone, Town Of | Blackstone · 6,345 served | 5 |
| 12 | Brookneal, Town Of | Brookneal · 1,500 served | 5 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Virginia?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Purcellville, Town Of in Purcellville had the highest recorded PFAS level in Virginia at 46.6 ppt - about 12x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Virginia water system has the highest lead levels?
Amherst, Town Of in Amherst had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Virginia under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 51.5 ppb - 3.4x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Virginia water system has the most EPA violations?
Emporia, City Of in Emporia has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Virginia, with 19 violations.
Where does the Virginia water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Virginia Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Virginia water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.