Virginia · population 96,482
Lead pipes in Portsmouth, VA
30 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of Portsmouth (population 96,482) gets its water from City of Portsmouth. That system reported 30 lead and 0 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 36,551, with 34,359 more of unknown material.
<0.1% of City of Portsmouth'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 <0.1%
- Galvanized (replace) 0%
- Unknown 94%
- Non-lead 5.9%
Latest lead test for City of Portsmouth (Jan 2019–Dec 2021): not detected at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists 1 Lead and Copper Rule violation since 2015, 1 still open for City of Portsmouth.
Water systems serving Portsmouth
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of PortsmouthMain system | 30 | 0 | 34,359 | <0.1% |
| City of Chesapeake - Western Branch SysServes nearby areas | 0 | 0 | 6,598 | 0% |
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 Portsmouth
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on City of Portsmouth'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
- Norfolk880 lead + galv. lines
- Chesapeake9 lead + galv. lines
- Hampton3,160 lead + galv. lines
- Poquoson3,160 lead + galv. lines
- Virginia Beach17,317 unknown
- Williamsburgno lead reported
- Franklin3,508 unknown
- Courtlandno lead reported
Check another water system
Questions
Does Portsmouth, VA have lead pipes?
Yes. City of Portsmouth, which serves Portsmouth, reported 30 lead and 0 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 34,359 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to Portsmouth?
EPA's service area maps place most of Portsmouth in City of Portsmouth's service area (PWSID VA3740600). City of Chesapeake - Western Branch Sys also serves parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Portsmouth home has a lead service line?
Search your address on City of Portsmouth'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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.