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The James River is the main source of drinking water for the city of Richmond and Henrico County, and Chesterfield County draws from the James plus two other sources while also buying water from the city. Each locality publishes its own annual water quality report, and the numbers are not interchangeable. This guide, current as of October 20, 2026, compares what the City of Richmond’s 2025 report, Henrico’s 2024 report and Chesterfield County’s water quality page say about where water comes from and where to find each report.
City of Richmond: one river plant and wholesale customers
The city’s 2025 Consumer Confidence Report says Richmond’s source is the James River and that its water treatment plant sits on the riverbank. The plant can produce up to 132 million gallons per day (MGD) and treated an average of 64.2 MGD in 2025. The report says it serves about 75,000 customers in metro Richmond and supplies wholesale water to parts of Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Goochland and Powhatan counties. It also notes that a 2002 state source water assessment rated the plant as having high susceptibility to contamination, which is a rating of vulnerability to potential sources of contamination and not a finding about your tap water.
For 2025 the city reports 100 percent compliance with federal and state Safe Drinking Water Act maximum contaminant levels, and says it ran over 55,000 tests on more than 14,000 water samples. Questions about the report go to 804-646-7306 or [email protected], and water quality and lead testing questions go to 804-646-8701. If you are looking at homes in the city, start with our city of Richmond community guide.
Henrico County: its own plant plus purchased water
Henrico’s 2024 report says its drinking water also comes from the James River. During the fiscal year from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, customers received an average of 28 MGD from Henrico’s own Water Treatment Facility, which opened in April 2004 and can produce up to 80 MGD. The county also bought an average of 11 MGD from the City of Richmond, which draws from the same river. So Henrico water is a mix of two treatment plants drawing from one river.
The report lists no violations and, for lead and copper, gives a 90th-percentile copper result of 0.154 parts per million against a 1.3 ppm action level and a lead result below 1 part per billion against a 15 ppb action level, with none of the 52 sites tested above either level. The report covers testing performed January 1 to December 31, 2024, and lists a contact line of 804-727-8700 for the water quality engineer. Explore Henrico County, including Glen Allen, Short Pump and Twin Hickory.
Chesterfield County: three sources plus city water
The county’s water quality page says Chesterfield draws drinking water from the James River, from Lake Chesdin through the Appomattox River Water Authority, and from Swift Creek Reservoir, and that it also buys water from the City of Richmond. Water from the county’s own sources is treated at the Addison-Evans Water Production and Laboratory Facility, which has a 12 MGD capacity. The page says the annual report is published as a PDF and updated each May.
The county also says its distribution system has no lead mains or lead service lines and that it has inventoried all water service lines, both public and private portions, in response to the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revision. It offers a Water Service Line Inventory page and a self-identification survey, and it points residents who want to know whether their own water contains lead to a certified lab. Questions go to [email protected] or 804-748-1271. Browse Chesterfield County, including Midlothian, Hallsley and Woodlake.
Side-by-side summary
- City of Richmond: James River, one plant at up to 132 MGD, about 75,000 retail customers plus wholesale customers in five neighboring counties, 2025 report issued May 2026.
- Henrico County: James River, its own plant at up to 80 MGD plus about 11 MGD purchased from Richmond (fiscal year 2024 average), 2024 report.
- Chesterfield County: James River, Lake Chesdin and Swift Creek Reservoir plus purchased Richmond water, report updated each May.
Hanover, Goochland and Powhatan counties also receive wholesale water from the city, according to Richmond’s report. If you are looking at a home in one of those counties, ask which utility serves the address. See our Hanover County and Goochland County guides.
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Utilities, taxes and commutes differ by locality. Tell us where you are looking and our team can help you compare the city, Henrico and Chesterfield for your budget. See how we work with buyers.
Why this matters when you buy
A home’s water comes through a utility’s system and then through the home’s own plumbing, so the annual report tells you about the system and not about the pipes inside the house. Older plumbing materials can matter independently, so read our guide to old plumbing in Richmond-area homes and ask what your inspector can and cannot check in what a Richmond home inspector will not cover. Private wells and septic systems work differently and are not covered by these utility reports.
The James River is also where much of the region’s outdoor life centers. See Richmond-area neighborhoods near public boat ramps and river access and neighborhoods near James River bridges for a different look at living near the river.
What these reports do not tell you
A report from one locality is a snapshot of that system for one year. The three reports above cover different periods: Richmond’s covers testing from January 1 through December 31, 2025, Henrico’s covers testing in 2024, and Chesterfield’s is updated each May. They also use different layouts, so a number in one report may not line up with a number in another. Compare reports only when you are looking at the same type of result, such as the lead 90th-percentile figure, and check the year each one covers.
Reports do not predict the future, and they do not describe a specific house. If water pressure, taste or color is a concern at a particular property, ask the utility and ask the seller about any known issues, and consider whether a lab test fits your situation.
Questions to ask the utility before you buy
Call or email the utility that serves the address and ask: Which treatment plant serves this street? Is any of the water purchased from another system? Where is the most recent annual report? Has the service line material for this address been identified in the utility’s inventory? Is there a program for lead testing? These are quick questions, and the answers help you compare homes across localities on the same terms.
How to read any of these reports
The CDC explains that a Consumer Confidence Report is the annual water quality report that community water systems send to customers, describing where the water comes from, what was detected, health risks and any violations. EPA rules require it by July 1 each year. If you rent or live where a management company pays the water bill, you may not receive it directly, so check the utility’s website. The data table is the best place to start, and our companion guide on reading a water quality report when you buy a home walks through it step by step.
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Frequently asked questions
Where does Richmond’s tap water come from?
The City of Richmond’s 2025 report says its source is the James River, treated at the city’s water treatment plant on the river.
Does Henrico County buy water from Richmond?
Yes. Henrico’s 2024 report says the county bought an average of 11 MGD from the City of Richmond during fiscal year 2024, in addition to an average of 28 MGD from its own treatment facility. Both draw from the James River.
What are Chesterfield County’s water sources?
The county’s water quality page lists the James River, Lake Chesdin through the Appomattox River Water Authority, and Swift Creek Reservoir, and says the county also buys water from the City of Richmond.
Where can I find each locality’s annual water quality report?
Richmond publishes its Consumer Confidence Report on rva.gov, Henrico posts its annual report on henrico.gov, and Chesterfield posts a PDF on its water quality page that it updates each May.
Which other counties get water from the City of Richmond?
Richmond’s 2025 report says it supplies wholesale water to parts of Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Goochland and Powhatan counties.
Do these reports cover the pipes inside my house?
No. The reports describe the utility’s system. Plumbing inside a home, including older pipes, faucets and fixtures, is separate, and a certified lab test is the way to check what is in the water at your tap.
When are annual water quality reports due?
The CDC says community water systems must provide them each year by July 1, according to EPA requirements.
