Virginia Beach Confirms City Has No Lead Water Service Lines

Virginia Beach has confirmed there are no lead water service lines in the city.  

This news comes following completion of an extensive, multi-year effort to identify the material of about 135,000 water service lines serving homes and businesses throughout the city. 

As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) revised Lead and Copper Rule, municipalities nationwide are required to inventory the material of every public and private service line in their water distribution system.  

Virginia Beach Public Utilities completed this extensive effort well ahead of schedule, noted Public Utilities Director Bob Montague.

"This accomplishment reflects years of proactive planning and the dedication of our Public Utilities team," said Montague. "Residents can feel confident knowing that Virginia Beach's drinking water system does not contain lead service lines."

The Importance of Water Service Line Inventories 

The EPA's revised Lead and Copper Rule was designed to help communities identify and replace any lead service lines, reducing the potential for lead exposure and protecting public health. 

Water leaving the water treatment plant does not contain lead and complies with all state and federal regulations. However, water passing through lead service lines can pose significant health risks. Completing this inventory provides another layer of assurance by confirming that the service lines delivering drinking water to customers are also lead-free. 

Commitment to Reliable Drinking Water

Virginia Beach Public Utilities’ efforts to inventory the city’s water service line materials included researching historical records and past plumbing code requirements, performing over 10,000 excavations for visual verifications, and using representative sampling. 

By finishing this work ahead of the federal deadline, Virginia Beach has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe, reliable drinking water system and investing in the infrastructure that serves our community every day. 

Virginia Beach Public Utilities remains committed to protecting public health through rigorous water quality monitoring, regular infrastructure maintenance, and compliance with all state and federal drinking water regulations. 

Residents can take pride in knowing that Virginia Beach is among the communities leading the way in ensuring safe, high-quality drinking water. 

• Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
• Water Service Line Material Map
• Public Utilities

Virginia Beach Public Utilities is committed to helping Virginia Beach residents of all ages learn about the value of water and how to conserve it, how to keep drains clear, how to protect your pipes and more.