The City of Suffolk’s G. Robert House, Jr. Water Treatment Facility Laboratory typically provides water testing services to our citizens who have well systems.  Temporarily, however, due to National, State, and local Emergency Declarations regarding COVID-19, and out of an abundance of caution, the laboratory will not be accepting water samples for at least a two-week period.  The laboratory will begin accepting samples again on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, unless further restrictions are necessary due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 virus.

In the interim, you may wish to contact the local independent laboratories listed below:

• James R. Reed and Associates, Newport News, VA – 757-873-4703
• Universal Laboratories, Hampton, VA – 757-865-0880

To alleviate any potential concerns about your drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have advised that COVID-19 has not been detected in any drinking water supplies and encourages the continued use of tap water.  In addition, the City of Suffolk follows and meets all drinking water regulations established by EPA in the treatment of our customers’ potable water.  Established treatment regulations and processes prevent waterborne pathogens, such as viruses, from contaminating the drinking water.    These processes include filtration and disinfection which are effective at removing and inactivating viruses including the virus associated with COVID-19.

 For more information, please visit https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus