Poquoson Water Quality Report
See where Poquoson public drinking water comes from, how Newport News Waterworks treats it, what the 2025 testing results show, and where to read the complete official report.
What the Latest Poquoson Water Quality Report Covers
Poquoson is one of five jurisdictions served by Newport News Waterworks. For Poquoson customers on the public system, the relevant portion of the 2025 combined annual report is the Lower Peninsula surface-water system report, which summarizes testing performed in 2025 and includes selected earlier data where the report specifies it.
What the utility reports: Newport News Waterworks states that its drinking water meets or does better than state and federal standards. The Lower Peninsula table marks the listed regulated substances as meeting state and federal standards.
Where Poquoson Tap Water Comes From
Poquoson public water is supplied through Newport News Waterworks' Lower Peninsula system. Its primary source is surface water from Diascund Creek Reservoir, supplemented by the Chickahominy River when weather patterns call for it. Waterworks stores raw water in five reservoirs before treatment at its two water treatment plants.
View the 2025 Poquoson Water Quality Report
The embedded document is Newport News Waterworks' combined annual report summarizing 2025 test results. Poquoson public-water customers are covered by the Lower Peninsula system portion of this report.
Highlights From the Lower Peninsula Water-Quality Data
These selected results come from the Lower Peninsula system data serving Poquoson. The complete official PDF includes the full regulatory tables, footnotes, testing context and expanded data.
| Substance or Measure | Reported Result | Standard or Context | Report Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | 0.026 ppm | MCL 2 ppm | Meets state & federal standards |
| Fluoride | 0.77 ppm | MCL 4 ppm | Meets state & federal standards |
| Nitrate | 0.065 ppm | MCL 10 ppm | Meets state & federal standards |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 21 ppb | MCL 80 ppb | Meets state & federal standards |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 21 ppb | MCL 60 ppb | Meets state & federal standards |
| Lead | <1.0 ppb at the 90th-percentile reporting point | Action Level 15 ppb | No individual sample exceeded the Action Level |
| Copper | 0.105 ppm reported | Action Level 1.3 ppm | No individual sample exceeded the Action Level |
| Hardness | Average 69 mg/L | Range 63–75 mg/L as CaCO3 | Waterworks describes it as moderately hard |
This summary is not a substitute for the complete official report. Some compliance values use running averages or include earlier sampling periods as explained in the report footnotes.
PFAS Results Reported for the Lower Peninsula System
The expanded 2025 Waterworks data includes PFAS monitoring for the Lower Peninsula system. Six PFAS compounds are listed with measurable maximum results in the report's expanded table.
| PFAS Compound | Maximum Reported | Reported Range |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 3.3 ppt | 2.1–3.3 ppt |
| PFOS | 4.9 ppt | 3.7–4.9 ppt |
| PFHxS | 3.7 ppt | <2.0–3.7 ppt |
| PFBA | 3.8 ppt | 2.6–3.8 ppt |
| PFHxA | 3.5 ppt | <2.0–3.5 ppt |
| PFPeA | 3.6 ppt | 2.5–3.6 ppt |
Important context: A detected concentration and a regulatory violation are not the same thing. Newport News Waterworks states that customers meet current federal and state standards. For homeowners who want additional drinking-water protection, the Poquoson PFAS water filters page explains treatment options.
What Else Stands Out in Poquoson's 2025 Report?
Moderately Hard Water
Waterworks reports an average hardness of 69 mg/L as calcium carbonate, with a 63–75 mg/L range. Hardness is not regulated as a health contaminant, but it can matter for scale, spotting and how water feels in the home.
Chloramines
After treatment, chloramines are added as the secondary disinfectant to help maintain disinfection while water moves through the distribution system to homes and businesses.
Lead & Home Plumbing
Waterworks reports no lead detected in treated water tested monthly at its treatment plants and explains that lead at a tap can come from service-line or household plumbing materials.
From Surface Water to Poquoson Taps
Newport News Waterworks uses multiple treatment steps before Lower Peninsula water enters the distribution system.
- Screening & CoagulationRaw water passes through screens, then alum and polymer are added so small particles clump together for easier removal.
- Clarification & OzoneAfter clarification, ozone is used for disinfection to kill microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses.
- FiltrationThe clarified water passes through filters to remove remaining particles.
- Final ConditioningLime adjusts pH, fluoride is added for dental-health purposes, zinc orthophosphate helps control pipe corrosion, and chloramines provide secondary disinfection.
What the Poquoson Water Quality Report Does—and Does Not—Tell You
What it tells you
- Where the regional public-water supply comes from.
- How Newport News Waterworks treats the Lower Peninsula supply.
- System-wide regulated contaminant results and compliance information.
- Selected PFAS, hardness, sodium and other expanded monitoring results.
What it does not tell you
- The exact water quality at one Poquoson kitchen faucet.
- Conditions created by a home's private plumbing, fixtures or water heater.
- The condition of a private well, which is separate from municipal water reporting.
- Whether a specific treatment system is appropriate for your home without considering your water and treatment goals.
Explore Local Water Treatment Options
Water Problems
Compare common household water concerns with local public-water data and treatment approaches.
Explore water problems →Reverse Osmosis
Learn about highly filtered drinking and cooking water from a dedicated point-of-use system.
Explore reverse osmosis →Water Conditioners
Explore whole-home treatment for hardness, scale, spotting and other treatment goals.
Explore water conditioners →PFAS Water Filters
Review treatment options for homeowners concerned about PFAS in drinking water.
Explore PFAS filtration →Well Water Treatment
For homes on private wells, explore treatment for iron, sulfur odor, acidity and other well-water conditions.
Explore well-water treatment →Free Water Test
Schedule an in-home evaluation for hardness and common aesthetic water concerns.
Schedule a free water test →Poquoson Water Quality Report FAQs
Who supplies public drinking water in Poquoson?
Newport News Waterworks serves Poquoson as part of its regional service area. Poquoson public-water customers are covered by the Lower Peninsula surface-water system report.
Where does Poquoson drinking water come from?
The primary source is Diascund Creek Reservoir, supplemented by the Chickahominy River as weather patterns require. Newport News Waterworks stores raw water in five reservoirs that supply two treatment plants.
Is Poquoson water hard?
Newport News Waterworks reports an average hardness of 69 mg/L as calcium carbonate in 2025, with a range of 63–75 mg/L. The utility describes this water as moderately hard.
Does Poquoson public water use chlorine or chloramine?
The Lower Peninsula treatment process uses ozone during treatment, and chloramines are added as the secondary disinfectant to maintain disinfection through the distribution system.
Were PFAS reported in the 2025 Waterworks data?
Yes. The expanded Lower Peninsula data lists measurable maximum results for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFBA, PFHxA and PFPeA. Newport News Waterworks also states that its customers meet current federal and state standards.
Does the public water report test the water inside my house?
No. The report summarizes monitoring across the public water system. It does not test one home's faucet, private plumbing, fixtures or private well.
How can I test water at my Poquoson home?
East Coast Water Quality offers a free in-home evaluation for hardness and common aesthetic concerns. Specialized laboratory testing may be required for contaminants that cannot be measured through an in-home screening.
Have Questions About Water at Your Poquoson Home?
Schedule a free home water test to explore hardness, taste, odor and the treatment goals that matter at your property.
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