Tap Water Results

Is Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth.

3 public water systems serve parts of Portsmouth. The largest, City of Portsmouth, serves 97,915 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of Portsmouth

97,915 people · Surface water · EPA ID VA3740600

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: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2021, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full City of Portsmouth 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.

Portsmouth homes and lead pipes

68%
of homes built before 1980 (Virginia 44%, US 50%)
24%
built before 1950 (Virginia 11%)
42%
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. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

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

Other water systems serving Portsmouth

  • Naval Support Activity Portsmouth Water System
    17,000 people · Purchased surface water · Virginia · lists this city
    No PFAS above limits
  • Nsa Hampton Roads, Portsmouth Annex Water System
    6,072 people · Purchased surface water · Virginia · lists this city
    No PFAS above limits

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Norfolk 8 mi
City of Norfolk
City of NorfolkNone above limits0 ppb
Chesapeake 13 mi
City of Chesapeake – Northwest River System
City of Chesapeake – Northwest River SystemNone above limits1.12 ppb
Hampton 13 mi
City of Newport News
City of Newport NewsNone above limits0 ppb
Newport News 18 mi
City of Newport News
City of Newport NewsNone above limits0 ppb
Virginia Beach 19 mi
City of Virginia Beach
City of Virginia BeachNone above limits0 ppb
Suffolk 19 mi
City of Suffolk
City of SuffolkNone above limits1 ppb
Portsmouth ZIP codes (7)
  • 23701
  • 23702
  • 23703
  • 23704
  • 23707
  • 23708
  • 23709

Questions

Is Portsmouth tap water safe to drink?

City of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth, VA?

3 public water systems serve parts of Portsmouth. The largest is City of Portsmouth (97,915 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Portsmouth tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. City of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 68% of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth'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.