Water Quality: Chatham, VA
14 water systems • 11,277 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Chatham is served by 14 public water systems with a combined service population of 11,277 people, and has 78 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 29 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Chatham's violation count is 46% above the national average for Virginia. Contaminants associated with violations include Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Total Organic Carbon.
Contaminants Found
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Not a direct health risk but reacts with disinfectants to form carcinogenic byproducts such as trihalomethanes.
Common source: Decaying plant material, algae, soil organic matter in source water
EPA limit: Treatment technique (must reduce TOC based on source water level)
Water Systems Serving Chatham
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOUNT HERMON | VA5143396 | Surface Water | 4,145 | 0 |
| CHATHAM, TOWN OF | VA5143114 | Surface Water | 2,500 | 1 |
| RT 29 NORTH | VA5143988 | Surface Water | 1,906 | 0 |
| ROUTE 58 WEST | VA5143700 | Surface Water | 1,260 | 0 |
| RINGGOLD INDUSTRIAL PARK | VA5143687 | Surface Water | 448 | 0 |
| MOUNT CROSS ROAD | VA5143394 | Surface Water | 227 | 0 |
| GRIT ROAD WATER SUPPLY | VA5143214 | Surface Water | 210 | 13 |
| TIGHTSQUEEZE WATER SUPPLY | VA5143809 | Surface Water | 209 | 12 |
| VISTA POINTE LANDING | VA5143861 | Groundwater | 115 | 0 |
| WOODROAM SUBDIVISION | VA5143940 | Groundwater | 80 | 44 |
| WAYSIDE ACRES SUBDIVISION # 1 | VA5143880 | Groundwater | 55 | 2 |
| WAYSIDE ACRES SUBDIVISION # 2 | VA5143881 | Groundwater | 43 | 2 |
| ROBIN COURT SUBDIVISION | VA5143690 | Groundwater | 40 | 4 |
| OLD RICHMOND ROAD | VA5143473 | Surface Water | 39 | 0 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Virginia
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.