Front Royal Releases Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2024

The Town of Front Royal has released its 2024 Water Quality Report, confirming that the public water supply met all state and federal drinking water health standards throughout the year. Although three monitoring violations occurred, follow-up testing confirmed that the water delivered to homes and businesses remained safe and compliant.

The report covers water testing and treatment from January 1 through December 31, 2024, and reflects the Town’s continued focus on source protection, treatment reliability, and public transparency.

Front Royal’s water comes from three surface water sources: the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, Happy Creek, and Sloan Creek. Water is treated at the Town’s Water Treatment Plant before it is distributed through the public water system.

The treatment process includes multiple stages: initial oxidation using sodium permanganate, coagulation and flocculation to bind and remove fine particles, settling in large basins, and filtration through layers of sand and anthracite. To ensure disinfection, water is treated with ultraviolet light and chlorine, with lime added to reduce corrosion in pipes. Fluoride is also added to support dental health.

Operators at the water plant conduct more than 150 water quality tests daily, monitoring key indicators such as chlorine levels, turbidity, pH, and fluoride. These tests help ensure that the treated water meets or exceeds safety guidelines.

The Town’s water sources, like many surface waters, remain vulnerable to potential contamination due to their exposure to natural and human activities. A 2018 assessment by the Virginia Department of Health highlighted the need for ongoing monitoring and preventive practices.

The report also addresses the detection of Cryptosporidium, a microbe sometimes found in untreated surface water. While water treatment processes significantly reduce the risk of contamination, no method can fully eliminate it. Individuals with compromised immune systems are encouraged to take extra precautions, as the pathogen can cause gastrointestinal illness if ingested.

Lead in drinking water remains a concern tied primarily to household plumbing. The Town has programs in place to reduce corrosion in pipes and maintains high standards for public water quality. However, because the risk of lead contamination often comes from pipes and fixtures inside homes, residents are encouraged to run their taps before use, use certified water filters, and consider testing their household plumbing if they have concerns about potential lead contamination.

Town officials remind residents that safe water is a shared responsibility. Public treatment systems can ensure water leaving the plant is clean, but materials inside homes — especially older ones — may still contribute to water quality issues.

Residents with questions or concerns about their drinking water can contact the Town of Front Royal Water Treatment Plant at 540-636-7474 or mmcdunn@frontroyalva.com. Additional information on drinking water safety and lead prevention is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at epa.gov/safewater/lead.

The full report will be available on July 1, 2025.

If you have any questions about this report or want to request a paper copy, please contact Matthew McDunn, Manager of Water Treatment Operations, at (540) 636-7474 or mmcdunn@frontroyalva.com.

Click here for the Consumer Confidence Report.