2025 Water Quality Report - City of Lynchburg

More than 100,000 citizens in Lynchburg and the surrounding communities depend on clean, safe drinking water every day. The city’s abundant water supply is a critical asset for the economic growth and development of the region. In accordance with federal and state regulations, information on the quality of your drinking water must be shared with citizens annually through the distribution of a water quality report. Lynchburg Water Resources is proud to present you with specific information about your drinking water from this past year. The results shown within this report reveal that your drinking water is better than federal and state standards for safety and is in compliance with regulations governing water quality.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA’s) Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. US EPA and US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

WHAT IS IN THE WATER?

CONTAMINANTS DETECTED JANUARY 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 2024

There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants

INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS:

Note: In 2024, the City of Lynchburg analyzed quarterly sampling for PFAS (forever) chemicals and Lithium as required under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR5). Unregulated contaminants are those that don’t yet have drinking water standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The purpose of monitoring for these contaminants is to help US EPA decide whether these contaminants should have a standard. No PFAS or Lithium were detected in Lynchburg tap water. If you would like a copy of these results, please email Leslie Morris in Lynchburg Water Resources at leslie.morris@lynchburgva.gov

Action Level (AL): Concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): Highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): Level of a contaminant in drinking water which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

Maximum Residual Disinfection Level (MRDL): Maximum level of disinfectant allowed in the water distribution system. There is convincing evidence that addition of disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Maximum Residual Disinfection Level Goal (MRDLG): Level of disinfectant in drinking water which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): Measure of water clarity. Turbidity in excess of five NTUs is barely noticeable to the average person.

Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/l): Equivalent to milligrams per liter. One ppm corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.

Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter: Equivalent to micrograms per liter. One ppb corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years or a single penny in $10,000,000.

Picocuries per liter (pCi/l): Measures radioactivity.

Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.