Most James City County homeowners receive their drinking water from Newport News Waterworks, which serves Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, York County, and portions of James City County. The primary water source is the Diascund Creek Reservoir, supplemented by the Chickahominy River depending on weather conditions. Some areas, including Lightfoot, receive groundwater from local wells treated by Newport News Waterworks before distribution.

James City County's public water meets all federal and state drinking water standards. Like nearly every municipal water system, it contains disinfectants, disinfection byproducts, naturally occurring minerals, fluoride, and trace levels of regulated contaminants.

According to Newport News Waterworks, treated water contains chloramines, trihalomethanes (TTHMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), fluoride, and naturally occurring minerals, all within current EPA regulations. Many homeowners choose whole home water filtration and reverse osmosis to further improve taste, odor, and overall water quality.

Water treatment chemicals are added to destroy bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms before the water reaches your home. Newport News Waterworks also adjusts water chemistry to protect the distribution system and adds fluoride to promote dental health.

The reality is that municipal water is about as safe as a public utility can reasonably deliver through miles of underground water mains. The only practical way to further reduce disinfectants and disinfection byproducts is with treatment installed inside your home.

Yes. James City County's public water meets all EPA and Virginia Department of Health drinking water standards.

Many homeowners, however, are looking for more than water that simply meets minimum regulatory requirements. Whole home water filtration and reverse osmosis systems can further reduce chlorine, chloramine byproducts, PFAS, fluoride, and other contaminants while improving the taste and quality of drinking water.

According to Newport News Waterworks, most public water supplied to James City County is considered moderately hard, averaging about 69 mg/L (approximately 4 grains per gallon) with a typical range of 63-75 mg/L. Some homeowners choose a water softener for softer-feeling water and additional scale protection, while others prefer whole home filtration with reverse osmosis. The best solution depends on your home's water and your personal preferences.

Yes. Even if your water leaves the well or treatment system in good condition, the plumbing inside your home can still affect water quality. Older pipes, stagnant water, galvanized plumbing, copper lines, and older fixtures may influence taste, appearance, or lead and copper levels.

A professionally installed filtration system provides an additional layer of treatment where your family actually uses the water.

We encourage homeowners to review the Newport News Waterworks Consumer Confidence Report, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database, and the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water to learn more about local water quality and treatment practices.

While most James City County homes receive public water, some properties rely on private wells.

Because every well is different, we recommend certified laboratory testing before selecting a treatment system. Based on your laboratory results, Patriot Water Systems can recommend a customized solution that may include whole home water filtration, a water softener, iron or sulfur removal, reverse osmosis, or a complete well water treatment system.