WaterVerge

Is Brandywine, WV Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

692 residents served 1 water system PWSID: WV3303613
Overall Score
75.2 / 100
Violations
3 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Surface water
#77 of 248 in West Virginia Top 62% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
BGRADE
Water Quality Grade
75.2/100
waterverge.com
B 75.2/100

Brandywine, WV — Water Quality Report

Brandywine's drinking water received a grade of B (75.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 692 residents using surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 0.8 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 98 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Brandywine's water

Brandywine ranks #77 out of 248 cities in West Virginia for water quality, placing it mid-range 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.

As a small community water system, Brandywine may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 34 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
75.2 out of 100 Grade B
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
24.2/45
D
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.8 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Surface water.
Water Safety

Is Brandywine, WV water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Brandywine's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (75.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 692 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

3
Active Violations
0.8 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
8 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Brandywine

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Brandywine's water quality assessment. Grade: B (75.2/100).

Violation
34 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Arsenic, Mercury, Nickel.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Violation
17 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: BHC-GAMMA, Methoxychlor, Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4455). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE SANDY

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4093). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Brandywine's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.8 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Brandywine's water system has 98 total violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 34 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherMONTT
Most recent violations:
Jan 2022 Arsenic Resolved
Jan 2022 Mercury Resolved
Jan 2022 Nickel Resolved
Jan 2022 Antimony, Total Resolved
Jan 2022 Thallium, Total Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Pendleton County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1985. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include South Mill Creek.

SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4455
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA DR-4093
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3358

Where does Brandywine's water come from?

Brandywine's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 692 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include South Mill Creek (lake).

What Brandywine residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Brandywine's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Brandywine'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.8 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 6% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

98
Total violations
4
Health-based
3
Active / unresolved
Jan 2022
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

98 Total
3 Active
4 Health-based
95 Resolved
Violations by category
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
43
Inorganic Chemicals
22
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
3
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
3
Mar 2020 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Nov 2019 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Nov 2019 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jan 2022 Resolved
Arsenic
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
Mercury
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
Nickel
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
Antimony, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
Thallium, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
DICHLOROMETHANE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
o-Dichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
1,1-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
1,2-Dichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
Carbon tetrachloride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
Trichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
CHLOROBENZENE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
Cadmium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
Chromium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2022 Resolved
1,2-Dichloropropane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Showing 20 of 98 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Pendleton County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

5
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
8.3%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
8
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

8
Declared disasters
Aug 2019
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Pendleton County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1985. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Aug 2019
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4455
Nov 2012
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA #4093
Oct 2012
HURRICANE SANDY
Hurricane FEMA #3358
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3221
Sep 2003
HURRICANE ISABEL
Hurricane FEMA #1496
May 1996
FLOODING, HEAVY WINDS
Flood FEMA #1115

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.8 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 1.1 ppb from 2000 (2.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.8 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
692
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Brandywine's water comes from

Surface Water

Brandywine's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

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 692 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Brandywine

Brandywine is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

South Mill Creek
lake
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Brandywine

System Name PWSID Population Source
PENDLETON CO PSD(BRANDYWINE) WV3303613 692 SW
Regional Comparison

How Brandywine compares

Full West Virginia rankings →

Brandywine's score of 75.2/100 is above the average of 65/100 among major West Virginia cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.

Brandywine (this city)
75.2
Charleston
90.1
Huntington
89.7
Morgantown
39.4
Beckley
90
West Virginia avg
65
City Profile

About Brandywine, WV

Wikipedia →

Upper Tract is an unincorporated community in Pendleton County, West Virginia, United States.

Economic Profile
$31,875
Median Income
$546/mo
Median Rent
10.7%
Unemployment
Community
38
Median Age
144
People / sq mi
0%
College Educated
55.4%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Brandywine, WV tap water safe to drink?

Brandywine's water quality earned a grade of B (75.2/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #77 out of 248 cities tested in West Virginia.

What contaminants are in Brandywine's water?

Lead was measured at 0.8 ppb (90th percentile). 98 violations are on record.

How is Brandywine'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 Brandywine?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Brandywine's water come from?

Brandywine's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 692 residents.

What health violations has Brandywine's water system had?

Brandywine has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.

How does Brandywine's water compare to other cities?

Brandywine ranks #77 out of 248 cities in West Virginia (better than 69% of state cities) and #9662 out of 15744 cities nationally (39th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Brandywine's small water system affect quality?

Brandywine's system serves approximately 692 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 98 violations on record.