Arsenic in Drinking Water in Virginia
What residents of Virginia need to know about arsenic in drinking water — including natural geological sources, private well risk, which utilities have documented violations, and how to remove arsenic from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Virginia DEQ, USGS · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is arsenic in drinking water a concern in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia has documented arsenic in private well water from its Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline bedrock geology. Approximately 25% of Virginia residents use private wells, and arsenic is one of the most frequently detected contaminants above health guidelines in Virginia private well surveys. The Virginia Piedmont — which runs from the Potomac River south to the North Carolina border — contains arsenic-bearing granite, gneiss, and schist formations.
Where does arsenic come from in Virginia's water?
Crystalline Piedmont bedrock is the primary arsenic source in Virginia. Private wells in Piedmont counties — from northern Virginia (Loudoun, Fauquier, Culpeper, Orange) through the central Piedmont (Albemarle, Fluvanna, Goochland, Powhatan, Amelia, Nottoway) and into the Southside counties near the NC border — face arsenic risk from naturally occurring sources. The Blue Ridge and Appalachian Valley geology in western Virginia contributes to arsenic exposure in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond.
What should Virginia residents know?
Virginia private well owners should test for arsenic. Virginia DEQ recommends testing at every real estate transfer for properties with private wells. Approximately 2 million Virginians rely on private wells — unregulated for arsenic. Virginia has a certified laboratory list and provides guidance on treatment options. Standard pitcher filters do not remove arsenic.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL | 10 µg/L (10 ppb) |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary source | Virginia Piedmont crystalline bedrock (granite, gneiss, schist) — stretches from Potomac to NC border |
| Private well concern | ~25% of VA residents on private wells — arsenic a priority concern statewide |
| State regulator | Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) |
| Health effects | Bladder, lung, skin cancer; cardiovascular; diabetes risk |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) or activated alumina |
Why Arsenic Matters in Virginia
Virginia's Piedmont is one of the largest stretches of crystalline arsenic-bearing geology in the eastern U.S. — extending from the Potomac River south through the heart of Virginia to the North Carolina border. As Northern Virginia's suburbs have expanded westward into Piedmont counties, and as Richmond's suburbs have spread into Piedmont fringe areas, an increasing population of suburban and exurban residents relies on private wells in arsenic-bearing geology. Virginia DEQ has documented arsenic as a priority contaminant in private well assessments and has pursued educational and testing programs.
Virginia Arsenic Program
Virginia DEQ monitors arsenic under federal SDWIS and has documented arsenic in private wells across the Blue Ridge and Piedmont crystalline rock regions. Virginia recommends arsenic testing for private wells, particularly in the Shenandoah Valley and areas east of the Blue Ridge where crystalline rock fractures provide water supply. Virginia's Household Water Quality Program provides subsidized testing for low-income rural households.
Largest Virginia Water Utilities
No arsenic violations on record in EPA SDWIS for Virginia utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
How Does Arsenic Get Into Drinking Water?
Arsenic in drinking water is almost always naturally occurring — it leaches from arsenic-bearing rocks and minerals into groundwater over time. New England granite, Southwest volcanic geology, and Upper Midwest glacial aquifers are the primary high-risk formations. It has no taste, odor, or color.
Full arsenic overview — geology maps, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Private well owners throughout Virginia's Piedmont counties face significant arsenic risk. Northern Virginia Piedmont counties (Loudoun, Fauquier, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Orange, Madison), central Piedmont counties (Albemarle, Fluvanna, Goochland, Powhatan, Amelia, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg), and Appalachian Valley counties face the most relevant risk.
Private well owners near mining districts or agricultural areas
Residents in states with documented volcanic or geothermal geology
Long-term consumers of water from small groundwater systems
Households in homes built before 1960 with older well casings
Residents whose well water has never been tested for arsenic
Anyone living in a state where bedrock wells are common
How to Check Your Situation in Virginia
- 1
Identify your water source. If you use a public utility, use the ZIP lookup on this page to find your system and check its compliance record.
- 2
If on public water, review your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for arsenic monitoring data. The MCL is 10 ppb — your report should show recent test results.
- 3
If on a private well, order an arsenic test from a Virginia DEQ-certified laboratory. A basic arsenic test costs $15–$40. The state agency website maintains a certified lab list.
- 4
Test your well at the tap — not just at the wellhead. The entire water distribution system within your home can affect water quality.
- 5
If your test shows arsenic above 5 ppb, install certified treatment immediately. If above 10 ppb, do not use the water for drinking or cooking until treatment is installed.
- 6
Retest after installing treatment to confirm it is working as certified. Replace filter media on the manufacturer's schedule — an exhausted filter may not perform as rated.
Treatment Options for Arsenic
Boiling does not remove arsenic — it concentrates it. Standard activated carbon filters (Brita, etc.) do not effectively remove arsenic. Certified treatment is required.
NSF/ANSI Standard 58 — Reverse Osmosis
RO systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58 remove 85–95% of arsenic. Under-sink installation. Most effective for removing multiple contaminants simultaneously. Replace membranes and pre-filters on schedule.
Activated Alumina Filters
Activated alumina is specifically designed for arsenic and fluoride removal. Point-of-use or whole-house options available. Must be certified by NSF International or WQA for arsenic reduction. Requires periodic media regeneration or replacement.
Iron/Manganese Oxidation Filters
Effective for arsenic in iron-rich well water, which is common in the Midwest and New England. Oxidation converts dissolved iron and arsenic to a form that can be filtered out. Best when arsenic is co-occurring with high iron levels.
What does NOT work for arsenic
Standard activated carbon filters (Brita, refrigerator filters, most pitcher filters) do NOT effectively remove arsenic. Boiling concentrates arsenic. Water softeners do not remove arsenic. Only use products with NSF certification specifically for arsenic reduction.
Take Action Now
If you use a private well in Virginia, test for arsenic — especially if you are in a region with granite, volcanic, or sedimentary geology. A basic arsenic test costs $15–$40 at a state-certified lab.
Public water users: check your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for arsenic results. The EPA MCL is 10 ppb — any detection warrants attention.
If arsenic is detected above 10 ppb (or even below it, given MCLG is zero), install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system for drinking and cooking water.
Standard carbon filters do NOT remove arsenic — do not rely on a Brita or refrigerator filter for arsenic protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
Arsenic — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with arsenic records
Virginia State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Virginia Well Water Guide
Testing, risks & certified labs for private wells
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 85–95% of arsenic
Best Arsenic Filter Guide
What actually works (carbon doesn't)
PFAS in Drinking Water
The 'forever chemical' contamination overview
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
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