Before the water crisis in Richmond in early January, most of us turned on our taps and seldom thought about the quality of water coming through the pipes. We trust it is safe for use in the kitchen, laundry, bathroom, and gardens, and drinking it won't make us ill.
But is our water really that safe to drink? Here's what scientists and researchers have to say.
Virginia Water Sources
Most households in 60 of Virginia's 95 counties rely on private water supply systems such as wells, springs and cisterns. These are primarily located outside urban centers in rural, non-agricultural and agricultural areas.
This equates to 20% of the state's population or about 1.7 million people. Overall, 43 million people, or 15%, use private water sources in the U.S., and that number is increasing faster than the number of households connecting to public water supplies.
It is worth noting that 90% of the 1.7 million who rely on private water services also use septic systems, which can have adverse effects on water quality.
Most of Virginia's water comes from river water that starts in the Blue Ridge mountains as rainfall. The water flows through national forests into faucets and farmers' fields. In 2003, the Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation requiring the development of a state water supply plan. The State Water Resources Plan was finalized in October 2015 and is a "living" plan that is updated every five years.
As this map shows, most of Virginia's water supply is based on regional plans, with 9 counties and cities using local plans specific to their needs.
Water Quality
All this planning on where water will be sourced, however, doesn't address its quality.
Water supplied by utilities and municipalities is regularly tested to ensure it meets healthy drinking standards. Homes that use wells must test their water themselves, which the EPA suggests doing at least once a year. Wells should never connect with public supplies for the safety of the community and the individual homeowner.
Most wells do not require chemicals for treatment, as the soil effectively clears out harmful organisms and chemicals like fertilizers. The deeper the well, the safer the water because it has longer travel times through the soil.
Homes with wells close to factories, agricultural areas, dumps, or roads where salt and waste oil can run off and contaminate water must be more diligent in their testing and consider using filtration systems.
Every two years, the EPA examines health-based water violations on public systems, and the report finds Virginia ranked in the middle of the pack with 1442 issues. Pennsylvania came in last with over 24,500 violations, while Hawaii had only 2 when last measured in 2023.
How To Make Water Safe To Drink
Most of the time, we have fresh water that is safe to drink at the turn of a tap. If you ever face a crisis, like the Richmond event that was due to failed pumps at the main reservoir, here are 8 ways you can purify and disinfect your water and make it safe from chemical contaminants, protozoa, bacteria, and viruses:
Clarifying - This removes the larger elements that could be in the water, such as dirt, rust, or other debris. You can clarify by pouring the water through a coffee filter into a glass container. You may want to do this a few times if the water looks too cloudy or discolored.
Filtering—You may want to disinfect the water first and then filter it. Disinfecting alone will not remove many of the chemicals, while a good filter will remove the chlorine and iodine you may have used in the disinfecting process.
Boiling - Using a thermometer, bring the water to 212°F, a little higher if you are at higher elevations.
Pasteurizing - You can purchase a pasteurization indicator that you would place in a glass container with your water and place it into a sun oven or onto a stove. You only need to heat the water to just over 149°F and maintain that temperature for one minute. You can also put the water into sterilized containers and place them in a large stockpot filled with water. Heat that water to 175° F for 20 minutes, then quickly cool them in water and store in the refrigerator. A slow cooker will also work.
Distilling - This is an energy-intensive process that requires you to heat your water and find a way to capture the purified steam. There are stills that you can purchase to make this process easier.
Chlorination - Protozoa are often immune to chlorine, so this method isn't as safe as boiling or pasteurizing. Regular bleach is 2 drops per quart of water, 8 drops per gallon. If using a concentrated germicidal bleach, 6 drops per gallon is recommended. Water should not be consumed if there is no residual chlorine scent. Retreat and wait 15 minutes and test for residual scent before drinking. Chlorine that is older than 8 years is no longer effective in water treatment.
Iodizing - Crystalline iodize can be used, but you may need to be a scientist to calculate the right amounts. Polar Pure brand lasts a long time.
Solar Disinfecting - (SODIS) - This is how many third-world countries get their water. You need a clear, 4" diameter max container and shake the water to oxygenate it. Lay the container before laying it on its side and letting it sit in the sun for 4-6 hours, and it will kill all the organisms, but not remove any chemicals. If you have nothing but a water bottle, this will work to give you something to drink. In cloudy weather, you will need to leave it out for a couple of days. The heat from the sun, UV rays, and oxygenation combine to clean the water. This will clean the protozoa, unlike chlorine.
What If You Have No Water Service?
Many Richmonders had no water service for several days when the pumps failed. Others endured days of very low water pressure. What can you do if your water is cut off? Here are 17 potential sources.
Bottled Water—Bottled water can last several years in a cool, dark storage area with little light. Heat accelerates plastic leaching into the water, so do not store it in a garage or car. If you store water, get it in thicker plastic bottles and always have some on hand for emergencies.
Ice—When the power goes out, put the ice in a clean container to melt and salvage. You can put the container back in the freezer to help keep foods colder longer while still saving water. Leaving the ice in the maker will likely cause puddles on your floor or solid ice blocks that have melted and refrozen.
Shelf-Stable Beverages - Fruit juices, sports drinks, milk boxes, and canned milk can help meet your water requirements. Sodas, other carbonated beverages, coffee, and alcoholic drinks dehydrate the body and increase the need for more water. So, if you have no running water, it is better to purify it and drink it "straight."
Canned Fruits and Vegetables - Broths, ready-to-serve soups, canned fruits and veggies come packed in water that can be used to make batters, soups, and even boil noodles.
Water in Pipes - You may be able to collect water from the pipes in your house. Introduce air into your pipes by turning on the faucet that is highest in your house. You can then collect the water from the lowest faucet due to the pressure the open pipes create.
Toilet Flush Tank—The water in the flush part of the tank is safe to drink as long as it hasn't been treated with chemicals. Most tanks hold 3-5 gallons of water. Be sure to purify it before drinking to be safe.
Hot Water Heater—Many tanks have 20-50 gallons of water in them and can be used in an emergency. As soon as an event occurs, cut off the water supply to the tank so it doesn't get contaminated. If you haven't drained your tank, be sure to filter and purify the water just to be safe. You should practice draining the tank so you are confident in how to do it and don't waste any of the water.
Rainwater - If you have rain barrels, this water can be filtered and disinfected for drinking or hygiene use. If you do not have barrels and it is raining, collect as much as you can with buckets, tarps, bowls, and any other clean containers you have.
Swimming Pool - Pools and Hot Tub water can be used for hygiene but should not be drunk.
Plant Transpiration—You can collect small amounts of water by covering plants with plastic bags and putting them in sunny spots. The water will condense on the bag, and after 4–5 hours, you could have 1/3 to 1/2 cups of water. This is a very slow process, but it could save you in an emergency. If you feed your plants with chemicals, this may not be a safe way to collect drinking water without using a very good filtration system.
Creeks, Streams and Rivers - Spring water is the safest source of drinking water, but be sure you are upriver from any sources of toxic materials like runoff, fertilizers, and sewage. In urban areas, this may be impossible, so be sure to over-treat the water with filtering and a few rounds of purification.
Sources: Newsweek, MissionH20, Provident Prepper, VDH.virginia.gov, NPR
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