Virginia · population 254,997
Lead pipes in Chesapeake, VA
9 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of Chesapeake (population 254,997) gets its water from City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys. That system reported 0 lead and 9 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 69,460, with 42,895 more of unknown material.
<0.1% of City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, lower than the Virginia average (0.6%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 0%
- Galvanized (replace) <0.1%
- Unknown 62%
- Non-lead 38%
Latest lead test for City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys (Jan 2023–Dec 2025): 1.1 ppb at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys.
Water systems serving Chesapeake
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Chesapeake - Northwest River SysMain system | 0 | 9 | 42,895 | <0.1% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Check your address in Chesapeake
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys's official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
- Portsmouth30 lead + galv. lines
- Virginia Beach17,317 unknown
- Norfolk880 lead + galv. lines
- Hampton3,160 lead + galv. lines
- Poquoson3,160 lead + galv. lines
- Franklin3,508 unknown
- Courtlandno lead reported
- Williamsburgno lead reported
Check another water system
Questions
Does Chesapeake, VA have lead pipes?
Yes. City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys, which serves Chesapeake, reported 0 lead and 9 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 42,895 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to Chesapeake?
EPA's service area maps place most of Chesapeake in City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys's service area (PWSID VA3550051).
How do I check whether my Chesapeake home has a lead service line?
Search your address on City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys's service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Chesapeake be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.