Alexandria’s past, present, and future are indelibly linked to the Potomac River and the quality of life the river sustains.  One of Alexandria’s main features to enjoy is our numerous streams and parks. We can all really enjoy walking in the parks or using the trails along our streams and the Potomac River to commune with nature and checkout wildlife that live in these areas. Visit the City's Park Information page for a listing of all City parks and the numerous activities you can enjoy. 

Check out the Watershed Map to see which local watershed you live in or like to play in. The City of Alexandria is located in the Potomac River Watershed, which is part of the Chesapeake Bay.  All the rain that falls in Alexandria enters the Potomac directly or through one of our local streams.

While the City has programs to protect local watersheds, stream water can contain micro-organisms that can make people sick, whether the stream is located in an urban area or in the middle of a forest. Please visit the Virginia Department of Health's web page on natural waters located across the state. Here are some tips on enjoying our streams safely:

• Never drink stream water. 
• Wash your hands after coming into contact with stream water and before eating. 
• We do not encourage you to wade or swim in urban streams.
• Keep stream water out of your eyes, ears, mouth, or any open sores. Children who are too young to understand these precautions should not be allowed to play in streams. 
• Use caution when around the banks to avoid falling on slippery rocks, and wear shoes to protect your feet from broken glass and other sharp objects.
• Pools in the City are open during different times of the year for swimming. Information can be found on the City's Aquatics page. 

Water quality in Alexandria is managed in a sustainable manner consistent with good stewardship of the local streams, the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay for the public health, ecological, and recreational benefit of current and future generations.  As a guiding principle in the City’s Eco-City Charter (adopted by Council June 14, 2008) that was born out of the Eco-City Alexandria Initiative, the Water Resources Principle is consistent with a systematic and integrated approach to sustainability, where we celebrate our heritage as a great port city by improving the Potomac River waterfront and improving the quality of our streams.  To meet the vision of the Charter, the City will: 

• Promote public health by continuing to ensure safe and reliable drinking water.
• Use environmentally responsible flood management, stormwater control, and wastewater treatment to protect the public’s health and property.
• Promote - through sustainable practices - safe, swimmable, and fishable waterways for its citizens and visitors, and
• Enhance the ecological integrity of its downstream waters, by minimizing stormwater runoff and pollutants draining to the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.

Following the vision of the Eco-City Charter, the Environmental Action Plan 2030 (EAP) was created by diverse stakeholders and adopted by City Council (June 2009) to serve as a roadmap for to implement the sustainability visions and principles of the Charter.  In 2019, City Council adopted the Environmental Action Plan 2040.