Virginia Beach Water Quality: Is It Safe To Swim?

Water pollution is a serious issue that can have detrimental effects on both the environment and human health. While Virginia Beach has implemented various measures to ensure water quality, it has also faced challenges with contaminated water. This raises concerns about the safety of swimming and other recreational activities at the beach. In this report, we will delve into the state of water pollution at Virginia Beach, exploring the sources of contamination, the potential risks to human health, and the steps taken by authorities to address this issue. We will also discuss the importance of water filtration and the role of organizations in providing safe drinking water to the residents of Virginia Beach.

Hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen, is a common contaminant in Virginia Beach's drinking water

Virginia Beach is a popular destination for swimming and other recreational activities. However, the water quality at these beaches has been a cause for concern. Water pollution can close Virginia beaches and put swimmers' health at risk. Bacteria levels at 29 Virginia beaches indicated that the water was potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day in 2021.

Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen that commonly contaminates American drinking water supplies. Chromium in drinking water may be due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater. The presence of hexavalent chromium in drinking water is a significant health concern, as it has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has set a health guideline of 0.02 ppb for hexavalent chromium in drinking water, which is the level below which it is believed that the contaminant does not pose a significant health risk.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has conducted tests on the tap water in Virginia Beach and found that while it was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards, the legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years. This raises concerns about the potential health risks associated with outdated standards. The EWG also found that disinfection byproducts, such as bromochloroacetic acid and bromodichloromethane, are present in the tap water, which can increase the risk of cancer and cause problems during pregnancy.

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires the EPA to determine the maximum contaminant level goals (MCLGs) for drinking water, which are non-enforceable health goals based on possible health risks from lifetime exposure. The EPA has been reviewing the health risks associated with chromium exposure and is considering revising the national primary drinking water regulation. The EPA's evaluation of hexavalent chromium toxicity will include a 2008 study by the National Toxicology Program and other relevant literature.

It is important for residents of Virginia Beach to be aware of the potential contaminants in their drinking water and to take appropriate measures to ensure their water is safe for consumption. While the tap water in Virginia Beach has been found to be compliant with federal standards, it is always advisable to refer to the latest health guidelines and consider investing in home water filtration systems to remove any harmful chemicals or contaminants.

Virginia Beach's tap water has high levels of chromium 6, which is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer

Virginia Beach's water supply comes from Lake Gaston in Brunswick County. The lake provides an average of 34 million gallons per day, which is delivered to Lake Prince, where it is treated and distributed by the city. While the tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards in the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (April 2024 - June 2024), it's important to note that legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years.

Virginia Beach's tap water has been found to contain high levels of chromium 6, a highly toxic metal that is monitored but not regulated by the EPA. The average concentration of chromium 6 in the city's drinking water is 71 parts per trillion, which is 3.5 times higher than the concentration determined to have a negligible impact on cancer risk. Chromium 6 in drinking water is typically due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater.

The health risks associated with chromium 6 in drinking water have been well-documented. A 2008 study by the National Toxicology Program found that chromium-6 in drinking water caused cancer in laboratory rats and mice. This study, along with other research, led scientists at the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to conclude that chromium-6 can cause cancer in people. The EWG Health Guideline of 0.02 ppb for chromium (hexavalent) was defined by this office as a public health goal, indicating a level of drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.

The presence of high levels of chromium 6 in Virginia Beach's tap water is concerning due to its association with an increased risk of bladder cancer. While the city's water treatment processes aim to remove impurities, the fact that the tap water contains elevated levels of this contaminant underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and the need for updated legal limits for contaminants. Residents of Virginia Beach who are concerned about the quality of their tap water can refer to local resources, such as the EWG Tap Water Database, to learn about specific pollutants and the best types of home filters to ensure clean drinking water.

Bacteria levels in beach water are monitored at 48 public beaches in Virginia during the swimming season

Virginia's beaches are a popular destination for swimming, but the water quality can vary, and pollution is a persistent issue. To ensure the safety of swimmers, bacteria levels in beach water are monitored at 48 public beaches in Virginia during the swimming season, which runs from May to September. This monitoring process is an essential step in safeguarding public health, as contaminated water can lead to various illnesses.

The Local Health Departments play a crucial role in this process by collecting weekly water samples from the 48 beaches along the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. These samples are then analysed by local laboratories for the presence of enterococci bacteria, which serve as an indicator of fecal contamination in salt and brackish waters. While enterococci bacteria are not harmful themselves, their presence suggests that other potentially harmful organisms may be present in the water.

Virginia has established a Beach Action Value of 104 MPN/100 mL of water for enterococci bacteria. If the bacteria levels exceed this threshold, a swimming advisory is issued to warn the public. High levels of these bacteria indicate an elevated health risk for recreational water users, particularly from gastrointestinal illnesses that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, or fever.

It is important for swimmers to be vigilant and follow certain precautions. They should avoid swallowing water while swimming, as natural waters may contain disease-causing organisms. Additionally, it is recommended to stay out of the water for a few days after heavy rainfall, as bacteria levels tend to spike during this time due to pollution from land runoff. Other potential sources of contamination include polluted runoff from roads, parking lots, overflowing or failing sewer systems, and farms.

Virginia Beach's water supply comes from Lake Gaston, which is blended with water from Norfolk

Water pollution is a pressing issue in Virginia Beach, with bacteria levels and contaminated runoff posing health risks to swimmers. Virginia Beach's water supply is derived from Lake Gaston, a reservoir located in Brunswick County, North Carolina. The Lake Gaston pipeline project, completed in 1998, enables the transfer of 60 million gallons of water per day to Virginia Beach and its partner, Chesapeake. This water is then blended with water from Norfolk before undergoing filtration and disinfection to remove impurities.

The construction of the Lake Gaston pipeline was a response to Virginia Beach's growing water demands and the limitations of relying solely on Norfolk's water supply. The pipeline stretches 76 miles, crossing multiple rivers and basins before reaching Lake Prince in Suffolk, Virginia. The water from Lake Gaston is combined with water from Norfolk's local water system, ensuring a stable supply for residents and tourists in Virginia Beach.

However, the diversion of water from the Roanoke River, which flows into North Carolina, has been a point of contention with the neighbouring state. North Carolina has consistently objected to the inter-basin diversion, arguing that the water belongs to them. Despite this dispute, the Lake Gaston pipeline remains a critical solution to Virginia Beach's water challenges.

While the pipeline has helped address water quantity issues, water quality remains a concern. Virginia Beach's tap water has been found to contain contaminants such as chromium (hexavalent), bromochloroacetic acid, and atrazine. These pollutants can have adverse effects on health, including an increased risk of cancer and harm to reproductive systems. It is recommended that residents refer to local water systems to identify specific pollutants and appropriate filtration methods to ensure cleaner drinking water.

Virginia Beach's water is treated at Norfolk's Moores Bridges Water Treatment Plant, which removes particles, bacteria, algae, and other impurities

Virginia Beach has a water quality problem. The beach water is contaminated by sanitary sewer overflows, breaks in pipes, boat discharges, stormwater runoff, and wildlife, which poses a risk to human health. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has been monitoring beach water quality since 1976, and in the early 2000s, the state expanded the program to include all major beaches. Despite these efforts, bacteria levels at 29 Virginia beaches indicated that the water was potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day in 2021. Other sources of water contamination include industrial pollution, mineral deposits, and groundwater.

Virginia Beach's water is treated at Norfolk's Moores Bridges Water Treatment Plant, which provides state-of-the-art treatment technology and ensures drinking water quality through continual monitoring and testing. The water undergoes an extensive filtering and disinfection process to remove particles, bacteria, algae, and other impurities. Fluoride is also added to the water at this stage. On average, over 400 water quality samples are collected and analysed monthly, providing continual monitoring for the highest water quality possible.

The latest quarterly assessment by the U.S. EPA (April 2024 - June 2024) found that tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards. However, it is important to note that legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years, and the presence of certain chemicals and heavy metals in the water supply remains a concern for residents.

For example, chromium (hexavalent), a known carcinogen, has been detected in Virginia Beach's drinking water at levels 3.5 times higher than the concentration determined to have a negligible impact on cancer risk. Lead is another contaminant of concern, entering the water supply through old lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. While the EPA, CDC, and American Academy of Pediatrics recognise that there is no safe level of lead exposure for children, the most recent data indicates that the 90th percentile concentration in Virginia Beach is <2 parts per billion.

To address these issues, companies like Hydroviv and Epic Water Filters offer water filtration systems optimised for Virginia Beach's tap water, providing broad protection against common contaminants. However, the ultimate goal should be to prevent pollution at its source, keeping contaminants out of the water in the first place.

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