Spotsylvania County Utilities

The EPA establishes regulations that limit contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure tap water safety. Similarly, FDA regulations set limits for bottled water contaminants to provide equivalent public health protection. All water sources, whether from the tap or bottle, naturally contain some level of contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

Municipal water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals (sometimes including radioactive material) and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial Contaminants: Viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, or wildlife
• Inorganic Contaminants: Salts and metals occurring naturally or resulting from urban runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and Herbicides: From agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential usage
• Organic Chemical Contaminants: Synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, stormwater runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive Contaminants: Naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

For additional information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

1. How often is Spotsylvania municipal water tested?
2. What causes the hardness in our local water supply?
3. Are home filtration systems recommended for Spotsylvania residents?
4. How can I report water quality concerns to the utility?
5. Does boiling water remove the identified contaminants?