Is Hartford City (Corporate Name, WV Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded F — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
43/100
waterverge.com Hartford City (Corporate Name, WV — Water Quality Report
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.
What to know about Hartford City (Corporate Name's water
Hartford City (Corporate Name ranks #213 out of 248 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.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Hartford City (Corporate Name, WV water safe to drink?
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).
Recent water quality updates for Hartford City (Corporate Name
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Hartford City (Corporate Name's water quality assessment. Grade: F (43/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule, Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4132). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3358). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Hartford City (Corporate Name's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Hartford City (Corporate Name's water system has 160 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 48 remain unresolved. 41 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Mason County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1967. 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 Shade River Near Chester.
Where does Hartford City (Corporate Name's water come from?
Hartford City (Corporate Name's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 745 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Shade River Near Chester (river).
What Hartford City (Corporate Name residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Hartford City (Corporate Name'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.
Hartford City (Corporate Name'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
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtMason County is currently in D1 (moderate 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.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Mason County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1967. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Hartford City (Corporate Name's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
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 |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 1.460 mg/L (1993)
EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
See how Hartford City (Corporate Name compares by contaminant
Explore where Hartford City (Corporate Name ranks among all West Virginia cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where 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.
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.
Water bodies near Hartford City (Corporate Name
Hartford City (Corporate Name is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Hartford City (Corporate Name
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HARTFORD TOWN OF | WV3302704 | 745 | GWP |
How Hartford City (Corporate Name compares
Full West Virginia rankings →Hartford City (Corporate Name's score of 43/100 is below the average of 65/100 among major West Virginia cities. It outscores 3 of 10 nearby cities. 7 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View West Virginia rankings →Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Hartford City (Corporate Name's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Mason
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 #213 out of 248 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 #213 out of 248 cities in West Virginia (better than 14% of state cities) and #14709 out of 15744 cities nationally (7th 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.