City of Charlottesville

The information presented here has been compiled and reported under the water quality standards established by the USEPA and VDH. During 2017, RWSA collected and analyzed hundreds of hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual samples to ensure your water quality. Testing locations included source waters (rivers and reservoirs), the treatment plants, and numerous points throughout the City's distribution system.

Water sources may include rivers, lakes, streams, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land surfaces or through ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals, potentially radioactive materials, and substances from animal or human activity. Municipal water, including bottled water, may contain small amounts of certain contaminants. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or visit their website (www.epa.gov/safewater).

New Treatment Process Coming Soon
RWSA received an extension from VDH to meet stricter requirements of the Stage 2 Disinfectant Byproducts Rule while upgrades are completed at their treatment plants to incorporate granulated activated carbon (GAC). These improvements will be completed at all plants in 2018. Meanwhile, RWSA is using powdered activated carbon (PAC) at each facility to help meet new water quality standards. Besides reducing disinfection byproducts, GAC should enhance water taste and odor.

Lead Information
Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. While RWSA and the City provide high-quality water with corrosion inhibitors and lead-free pipes, we cannot control materials used in residential and commercial plumbing. If water has been sitting for several hours, minimize potential lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. Also, use cold rather than hot water. The most recent lead and copper testing in high-risk households occurred in summer 2016. If concerned about lead, consider water testing. Information about lead in water, testing methods, and exposure reduction is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

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