01The verdict: is Belington water safe?
Belington's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (85.1/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,146 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
1 unresolved violation on record
EPA records show an open compliance item for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Top half in West Virginia
Belington ranks #34 of 245 graded West Virginia cities.
See the comparison ↓2 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Belington's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,146 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 9.6 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 5 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
Belington ranks #34 out of 245 cities in West Virginia for water quality, placing it above average in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Belington may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Belington's water
Every contaminant flagged in Belington, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 9.6 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in West Virginia
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in West Virginia
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Belington's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 5 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
8 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 6.6 ppb since 2000. Latest reading: 9.6 ppb (2023) — 64% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Belington's water comes from
Belington's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
2,146 people
Residents served across Belington's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,146 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BELINGTON TOWN OF | WV3300101 | 2,146 | Surface Water |
Water bodies near Belington
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Belington's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Belington's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
2 facilities within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
8 federal disaster declarations on record for Barbour County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Belington compares
Scores for nearby West Virginia cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = West Virginia average (68/100)
Belington scores 85.1/100 — above the West Virginia average of 68/100. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities. Full West Virginia rankings →
90.1 / 100AHuntington, WV
89.7 / 100FMorgantown, WV
39.4 / 100FMartinsburg, WV
40.2 / 100ABeckley, WV
90 / 100FFairmont, WV
35.1 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Belington's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Lead detected at 9.6 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Belington alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Belington, WV tap water safe to drink?
Belington's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #34 out of 245 cities tested in West Virginia.
What contaminants are in Belington's water?
Lead was measured at 9.6 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.
How is Belington's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Belington?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Belington's water come from?
Belington's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,146 residents.
How does Belington's water compare to other cities?
Belington ranks #34 out of 245 cities in West Virginia (better than 86% of state cities) and #5468 out of 15382 cities nationally (65th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Belington's small water system affect quality?
Belington's system serves approximately 2,146 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 5 violations on record.