{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-2144.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-2144.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-2144.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-2144.html"}],"law_id":54207,"edition_id":1,"section_id":54207,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2144","catch_line":"Inspection of water supplies","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-77.18; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-854; 1997, c. 587; 2000, c. 1004; 2004, c. 438.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery locality may regulate and inspect public and private water supplies; the production, preparation, transmission and distribution of water; and the sanitation of establishments, systems, facilities and equipment in or by means of which water is produced, prepared, transmitted and distributed. It may prevent the pollution of such water supplies; and, without liability to the owner thereof, may prevent the transmission or distribution of water when it is found to be polluted, adulterated, impure or dangerous.B\n\nEvery public water supply operator shall at least annually test the public water supply for the presence of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE). The locality shall maintain a record of testing conducted pursuant to this subsection. If the results of any test conducted pursuant to this subsection indicates the presence of MTBE in excess of 15 parts per billion, the locality shall immediately notify the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Health. The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services shall maintain and make available, upon the request of any person, a list of laboratories, accredited under the provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq.) to analyze samples, located throughout the Commonwealth that possess the technical expertise to analyze water samples for the presence of MTBE. Any lab seeking accreditation under the Safe Drinking Water Act may contact the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services. The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services shall establish a fee system to offset the costs of tests performed on behalf of public water supply operators. Such test may be conducted simultaneously with other tests.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the State Board of Health, acting pursuant to its authority regarding public water supplies, may establish an alternative schedule for water supply testing, which shall apply in lieu of this subsection, for any public waterworks where annual testing is not otherwise required, if it determines that an alternative schedule is appropriate to protect the public health and promote the public welfare.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":199062,"text":"Every locality may regulate and inspect public and private water supplies; the production, preparation, transmission and distribution of water; and the sanitation of establishments, systems, facilities and equipment in or by means of which water is produced, prepared, transmitted and distributed. It may prevent the pollution of such water supplies; and, without liability to the owner thereof, may prevent the transmission or distribution of water when it is found to be polluted, adulterated, impure or dangerous.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":199063,"text":"Every public water supply operator shall at least annually test the public water supply for the presence of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE). The locality shall maintain a record of testing conducted pursuant to this subsection. If the results of any test conducted pursuant to this subsection indicates the presence of MTBE in excess of 15 parts per billion, the locality shall immediately notify the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Health. The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services shall maintain and make available, upon the request of any person, a list of laboratories, accredited under the provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq.) to analyze samples, located throughout the Commonwealth that possess the technical expertise to analyze water samples for the presence of MTBE. Any lab seeking accreditation under the Safe Drinking Water Act may contact the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services. The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services shall establish a fee system to offset the costs of tests performed on behalf of public water supply operators. Such test may be conducted simultaneously with other tests.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the State Board of Health, acting pursuant to its authority regarding public water supplies, may establish an alternative schedule for water supply testing, which shall apply in lieu of this subsection, for any public waterworks where annual testing is not otherwise required, if it determines that an alternative schedule is appropriate to protect the public health and promote the public welfare.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13193,"edition_id":1,"name":"Water Supply Systems Generally","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13192,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:25","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:25","permalink":{"id":154677,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13193,"identifier":"5","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5","url":"\/15.2\/II\/21\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13192,"edition_id":1,"name":"Franchises; Sale and Lease of Certain Municipal Public Property; Public Utilities","identifier":"21","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:25","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:25","permalink":{"id":154333,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13192,"identifier":"21","token":"15.2\/II\/21","url":"\/15.2\/II\/21\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":84686,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2134","catch_line":"Construction of dams, etc., for purpose of providing public water supply; approval by governing body of locality","url":"\/15.2-2134\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2134","metadata":false},{"id":65586,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2135","catch_line":"Disputes between jurisdictions involving dams or water impoundment; constitution of special court; vacancies occurring during trial","url":"\/15.2-2135\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2135","metadata":false},{"id":71417,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2136","catch_line":"Powers of special court; rules of decision; order controlling subsequent conduct of case","url":"\/15.2-2136\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2136","metadata":false},{"id":55244,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2137","catch_line":"Special court; hearing and decision","url":"\/15.2-2137\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2137","metadata":false},{"id":66258,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2138","catch_line":"Dispute between jurisdictions; additional parties","url":"\/15.2-2138\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2138","metadata":false},{"id":74605,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2139","catch_line":"Special court; costs","url":"\/15.2-2139\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2139","metadata":false},{"id":77253,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2140","catch_line":"Dispute between jurisdictions; appeals","url":"\/15.2-2140\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2140","metadata":false},{"id":74755,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2141","catch_line":"Conflicting petitions for same territory; petition seeking territory in two or more counties","url":"\/15.2-2141\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2141","metadata":false},{"id":79220,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2142","catch_line":"Certain localities may construct dams across navigable streams; permission from Chief of Engineers, Secretary of Army and State Attorney General; approval of governing body","url":"\/15.2-2142\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2142","metadata":false},{"id":65184,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2143","catch_line":"Water supplies and facilities","url":"\/15.2-2143\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2143","metadata":false},{"id":54207,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2144","catch_line":"Inspection of water supplies","url":"\/15.2-2144\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2144","metadata":false},{"id":56143,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2145","catch_line":"Sale of water and use of streets by one city in another","url":"\/15.2-2145\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2145","metadata":false},{"id":86795,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2146","catch_line":"Powers of localities to acquire certain waterworks system","url":"\/15.2-2146\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2146","metadata":false},{"id":79542,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2147","catch_line":"City acquiring plant within one mile of another city","url":"\/15.2-2147\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2147","metadata":false},{"id":65927,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2148","catch_line":"Contracts for water supply","url":"\/15.2-2148\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2148","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":65184,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2143","catch_line":"Water supplies and facilities","url":"\/15.2-2143\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2143","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":56143,"structure_id":13193,"section_number":"15.2-2145","catch_line":"Sale of water and use of streets by one city in another","url":"\/15.2-2145\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2145","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-2144\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1958, chapter 328; in 1962, chapter 623; in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 1004<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 438<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":154719,"object_type":"law","relational_id":54207,"identifier":"15.2-2144","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2144","url":"\/15.2-2144\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-2144\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/5\/15.2-2144","dublin_core":{"Title":"Inspection of water supplies","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-2144","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every locality<\/span> may regulate and inspect public and private water supplies; the production, preparation, transmission and distribution of water; and the sanitation of establishments, systems, facilities and equipment in or by means of which water is produced, prepared, transmitted and distributed. It may prevent the pollution of such water supplies; and, without liability to the owner thereof, may prevent the transmission or distribution of water when it is found to be polluted, adulterated, impure or dangerous. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Every public water supply operator shall at least annually test the public water supply for the presence of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE). The locality<\/span> shall maintain a record of testing conducted pursuant to this subsection. If the results of any test conducted pursuant to this subsection indicates the presence of MTBE in excess of 15 parts per billion, the locality<\/span> shall immediately notify the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Health. The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services shall maintain and make available, upon the request of any person, a list of laboratories, accredited under the provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq.) to analyze samples, located throughout the Commonwealth that possess the technical expertise to analyze water samples for the presence of MTBE. Any lab seeking accreditation under the Safe Drinking Water Act may contact the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services. The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services shall establish a fee system to offset the costs of tests performed on behalf of public water supply operators. Such test may be conducted simultaneously with other tests.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the State Board of Health, acting pursuant to its authority regarding public water supplies, may establish an alternative schedule for water supply testing, which shall apply in lieu of this subsection, for any public waterworks where annual testing is not otherwise required, if it determines that an alternative schedule is appropriate to protect the public health and promote the public welfare. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINSPECTION OF WATER SUPPLIES (\u00a7 15.2-2144)\n\nA. Every locality may regulate and inspect public and private water supplies;\nthe production, preparation, transmission and distribution of water; and the\nsanitation of establishments, systems, facilities and equipment in or by means\nof which water is produced, prepared, transmitted and distributed. It may\nprevent the pollution of such water supplies; and, without liability to the\nowner thereof, may prevent the transmission or distribution of water when it is\nfound to be polluted, adulterated, impure or dangerous.\n\nB. Every public water supply operator shall at least annually test the public\nwater supply for the presence of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE). The\nlocality shall maintain a record of testing conducted pursuant to this\nsubsection. If the results of any test conducted pursuant to this subsection\nindicates the presence of MTBE in excess of 15 parts per billion, the locality\nshall immediately notify the Department of Environmental Quality and the\nDepartment of Health. The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services shall\nmaintain and make available, upon the request of any person, a list of\nlaboratories, accredited under the provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water\nAct (42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq.) to analyze samples, located throughout the\nCommonwealth that possess the technical expertise to analyze water samples for\nthe presence of MTBE. Any lab seeking accreditation under the Safe Drinking\nWater Act may contact the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services. The\nDivision of Consolidated Laboratory Services shall establish a fee system to\noffset the costs of tests performed on behalf of public water supply operators.\nSuch test may be conducted simultaneously with other tests.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the State Board of Health,\nacting pursuant to its authority regarding public water supplies, may establish\nan alternative schedule for water supply testing, which shall apply in lieu of\nthis subsection, for any public waterworks where annual testing is not otherwise\nrequired, if it determines that an alternative schedule is appropriate to\nprotect the public health and promote the public welfare.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-77.18; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-854; 1997,\nc. 587; 2000, c. 1004; 2004, c. 438.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}