01The verdict: is Hartford City (Corporate Name water safe?
Hartford City (Corporate Name's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (43/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 745 residents using groundwater (wells).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 1.46 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 1.2 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓41 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 ↓Hartford City (Corporate Name's drinking water received a grade of F (43 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 745 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.2 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 160 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 48 remain unresolved.
Hartford City (Corporate Name ranks #210 out of 245 cities in West Virginia for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. Hartford City (Corporate Name purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. As a small community water system, Hartford City (Corporate Name may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 41 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Hartford City (Corporate Name's water
Every contaminant flagged in Hartford City (Corporate Name, 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.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.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. | 1.2 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.46 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
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
03Hartford City (Corporate Name'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 160 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 48 remain unresolved.
3 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.
▼ Down 8.8 ppb since 1995. Latest reading: 1.2 ppb (2021) — 8% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
1.5mg/L(1993)
One sampling round on record — 112% of the 1.3mg/L EPA action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Hartford City (Corporate Name's water comes from
Hartford City (Corporate Name purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
745 people
Residents served across Hartford City (Corporate Name's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Hartford City (Corporate Name's local distribution pipes and storage facilities. Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 745 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HARTFORD TOWN OF | WV3302704 | 745 | Purchased Groundwater |
Water bodies near Hartford City (Corporate Name
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Hartford City (Corporate Name'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.
Flood & storm history
7 federal disaster declarations on record for Mason County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Hartford City (Corporate Name compares
Scores for nearby West Virginia cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = West Virginia average (68/100)
Hartford City (Corporate Name scores 43/100 — below the West Virginia average of 68/100. It outscores 3 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 Hartford City (Corporate Name's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Hartford City (Corporate Name 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 Hartford City (Corporate Name, WV tap water safe to drink?
Hartford City (Corporate Name's water quality earned a grade of F (43/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #210 out of 245 cities tested in West Virginia.
What contaminants are in Hartford City (Corporate Name's water?
Lead was measured at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile). 160 violations are on record.
How is Hartford City (Corporate Name'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 Hartford City (Corporate Name?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Hartford City (Corporate Name's water come from?
Hartford City (Corporate Name's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 745 residents.
What health violations has Hartford City (Corporate Name's water system had?
Hartford City (Corporate Name has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 48 violations remain unresolved.
Is Hartford City (Corporate Name's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Hartford City (Corporate Name 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 160 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 Hartford City (Corporate Name's water compare to other cities?
Hartford City (Corporate Name ranks #210 out of 245 cities in West Virginia (better than 14% of state cities) and #14397 out of 15382 cities nationally (6th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Hartford City (Corporate Name's small water system affect quality?
Hartford City (Corporate Name's system serves approximately 745 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 160 violations on record.