Norfolk Pure is your municipal drinking water. Whether you
prefer it from the tap or in a sports bottle, you are drinking top quality
water.
Each year the Department of Utilities distributes the Water Quality Report
(also referred to as the Consumer Confidence Report). This report contains
information on the Department's compliance with EPA regulations for water
quality, as well as the City's water sources (rivers, lakes, reservoirs, etc.).
The information in the report is compiled from water quality tests performed by
the Department throughout the year. These reports are distributed in May each
year. To view this year's report Click
Here.
The debate is ongoing on which is better, tap water or bottled
water. The City of Norfolk's Norfolk Pure tap water consistently meets all EPA
regulations for safe drinking water and it tastes great too! If you're a
bottled water lover that still needs convincing to make the switch to tap, get
the facts on bottled vs. tap by visiting
www.drinktap.org
.
Did you know??
For $1.00 you can fill up a 20 ounce sports bottle with Norfolk Pure tap water
more than 1,300 times. That's filling up three times a day, every day for a
year! So, tap into quality and fill up with Norfolk Pure!
Support for the Economy
Businesses or housing developments succeed with a safe and sustainable water
supply. Tap water is critical to businesses' day-to-day operations and is often
a primary ingredient in the products they create, The incredible value of water
is magnified during times of drought. Norfolk's Department of Utilities
continues to expand the water and sewer infrastructure to accommodate the
City's growing business and residential population. Water and sewer capital
improvement projects are ongoing across the City.
Fire Protection
A well maintained water system is critical in protecting our communities from
the ever present threat of fire. The ability to suppress fires also influences
new home construction, business location decisions and insurance rates.
Norfolk Utilities designed the City's fire hydrants to be placed at a maximum
of 800 feet apart. This length was chosen because the average fire engine
carries 1,000 feet of hose. By placing the fire hydrants at 800 feet, Norfolk
residents and businesses are guaranteed to always have adequate access to life
saving water.
Public Health Protection
Norfolk began treating drinking water long before it was a commonplace and
decades before it was required by law. The central water system was created in
1871 and the sewer system in 1889. By the 1930's Norfolk experienced a
significant drop in death rates caused by waterborne illnesses, such as typhoid
fever, malaria, and dysentery. Water and Wastewater are two of the City's
oldest public services and contribute significantly to the protection of public
health.
Quality of Life
Any measure of a successful society (low mortality rates, economic diversity,
productivity, public safety) is in some way related to the access of safe
water. In Norfolk safe water is always accessible to drink, wash our clothes,
water our lawns and for myriad other purposes. When water service is
interrupted, we're all reminded of the extraordinary value of water resources
and service.
We are here to serve you! 
