Is Belmont, WV Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B, with 10 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
79/100
waterverge.com Belmont, WV — Water Quality Report
Belmont's drinking water received a grade of B (79 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,003 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.9 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 25 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved.
What to know about Belmont's water
Belmont ranks #61 out of 248 cities in West Virginia for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Belmont relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Belmont may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 9 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Belmont, WV water safe to drink?
Belmont's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (79/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,003 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Belmont
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Belmont's water quality assessment. Grade: B (79/100).
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule, Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4221). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4220). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Belmont's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Belmont's water system has 25 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved. 9 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Pleasants County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1996. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Belmont's water come from?
Belmont's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,003 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Belmont residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Belmont's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Belmont's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Belmont
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Belmont, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 113,384 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
CYTEC INDUSTRIES INC WILLOW ISLAND, WV26134 | Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution) | 112,925 | 2.8 mi |
PLEASANTS POWER STATION WILLOW ISLAND, WV26134 | Ammonia | 459 | 0.2 mi |
AXENS N.A. INC. BELMONT, WV26134 | — | — | 2.9 mi |
PHIBRO ANIMAL HEALTH CORP WILLOW ISLAND, WV26134 | — | — | 0.2 mi |
ALLNEX USA INC BELMONT, WV26134 | — | — | 2.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Superfund sites within 10 miles of Belmont
Superfund sites nearby
Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
- VAN DALE JUNKYARD8.3 mi
Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List
Flood & disaster history
Pleasants County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1996. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 2.9 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Belmont compares by contaminant
Explore where Belmont ranks among all West Virginia cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Belmont's water comes from
Belmont's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,003 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Belmont
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BELMONT, CITY OF | WV3303701 | 1,003 | GW |
How Belmont compares
Full West Virginia rankings →Belmont's score of 79/100 is above the average of 65/100 among major West Virginia cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View West Virginia rankings →About Belmont, WV
Wikipedia →Belmont is a town in Pleasants County, West Virginia, United States. It is part of the Parkersburg–Vienna metropolitan area. The population was 872 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Belmont's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Pleasants
Frequently asked questions
Is Belmont, WV tap water safe to drink?
Belmont's water quality earned a grade of B (79/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #61 out of 248 cities tested in West Virginia.
What contaminants are in Belmont's water?
Lead was measured at 2.9 ppb (90th percentile). 25 violations are on record.
How is Belmont'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 Belmont?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Belmont's water come from?
Belmont's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,003 residents.
Is Belmont's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Belmont uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 25 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Belmont's water compare to other cities?
Belmont ranks #61 out of 248 cities in West Virginia (better than 75% of state cities) and #8444 out of 15744 cities nationally (46th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Belmont's small water system affect quality?
Belmont's system serves approximately 1,003 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 25 violations on record.