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Lead Content in Drinking Water
Drinking water has recently been the topic in the national and local news. We wish to assure our customers and the community that Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA), the Albemarle Country Service Authority (ACSA) and the City are committed to providing safe, high-quality water.
The City and ACSA conducted lead and copper testing in drinking water of select households in the summer of 2019. For more information on this testing, please read our joint statement (PDF). All water samples collected in 2019 from the 34 homes were well below the current Action Levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for lead and copper. To read the full report of the 2019 Lead and Copper Sampling in Charlottesville, please read our statement (PDF).
Annual Water Quality Report
2019 Lead and Copper results can be found in the 2020 Charlottesville Annual Water Quality Report (PDF).
Dangers of Lead
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. RWSA and the City are responsible for providing high-quality drinking water by using corrosion inhibitors added to the water to coat the pipes and having only lead-free pipes installed to carry drinking water; however, we cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components of homes and businesses. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested.
The periodic lead and copper testing at select households took place in the summer of 2019. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800-426-4791 or at the Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water page.