Tap Water Results

Is Chesapeake, VA tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for City of Chesapeake – Northwest River System.

6 public water systems serve parts of Chesapeake. The largest, City of Chesapeake – Northwest River System, serves 165,240 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of Chesapeake – Northwest River System

165,240 people · Surface water · EPA ID VA3550051

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 1.12 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full City of Chesapeake – Northwest River System results

Across Virginia, 12 of 164 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 3 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Virginia results.

Chesapeake homes and lead pipes

32%
of homes built before 1980 (Virginia 44%, US 50%)
4%
built before 1950 (Virginia 11%)
26%
of households rent (Virginia 33%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Chesapeake city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Chesapeake

  • City of Chesapeake – Western Branch System
    32,326 people · Purchased surface water · Virginia · lists this city
    No PFAS above limits
  • St. Brides Correctional Center Water System
    2,354 people · Groundwater · Virginia · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Naval Support Activity-Nw Water System
    1,400 people · Groundwater · Virginia · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Sunray Water Company, Inc.
    60 people · Groundwater · Virginia · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Sunray Artesian Water Supply
    45 people · Groundwater · Virginia · lists this city
    Lead near 2027 level

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Portsmouth 13 mi
City of Portsmouth
City of PortsmouthNone above limits0 ppb
Virginia Beach 17 mi
City of Virginia Beach
City of Virginia BeachNone above limits0 ppb
Norfolk 17 mi
City of Norfolk
City of NorfolkNone above limits0 ppb
Suffolk 18 mi
City of Suffolk
City of SuffolkNone above limits1 ppb
Hampton 25 mi
City of Newport News
City of Newport NewsNone above limits0 ppb
Newport News 30 mi
City of Newport News
City of Newport NewsNone above limits0 ppb
Chesapeake ZIP codes (6)
  • 23320
  • 23321
  • 23322
  • 23323
  • 23324
  • 23325

Questions

Is Chesapeake tap water safe to drink?

City of Chesapeake – Northwest River System has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Chesapeake, VA?

6 public water systems serve parts of Chesapeake. The largest is City of Chesapeake – Northwest River System (165,240 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Chesapeake tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. City of Chesapeake – Northwest River System had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Chesapeake homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 32% of Chesapeake homes as built before 1980 (Virginia: 44%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. City of Chesapeake – Northwest River System's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.