On a Strict Sodium Diet? Be Careful How Much Alexandria Tap Water You Drink

Alexandria’s water complies with or was better than all state and federal drinking water requirements, according to the 2012 annual water quality report from Virginia American Water, which serves Alexandria.

Some interesting findings about unregulated water quality:

• The sodium level in Alexandria’s water was 32.7 parts per million (ppm), which exceeds the recommended maximum contaminant amount of 20 milligrams a liter for persons on a strict sodium diet, according to Virginia American Water.

• Water produced by the facilities averaged 7.1 pH in Alexandria’s distribution system. A pH of 7.0 is considered neutral – neither acidic nor basic.

• Alexandria has “moderately hard” water at 117 ppm or 6.8 grains per gallon. Hardness is measured by naturally occurring minerals present in water – calcium and magnesium.

For the full report, click here (PDF).

The annual report is required by the Virginia Department of Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Alexandria’s water comes from two water treatment plants owned and operated by Fairfax Water – the J.J. Corbalis water treatment plant located on the Potomac River and from the Griffith Plant at the Occoquan Reservoir.

Virginia American Water is a subsidiary of Voorhees, N.J.-based American Water.