Is Justice, WV Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 38 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
48.8/100
waterverge.com Justice, WV — Water Quality Report
Justice's drinking water received a grade of D (48.8 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 504 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.5 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 94 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 38 remain unresolved.
What to know about Justice's water
Justice ranks #151 out of 248 cities in West Virginia for water quality, placing it below 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.
As a small community water system, Justice may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 23 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Justice, WV water safe to drink?
Justice's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (48.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 504 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Justice
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Justice's water quality assessment. Grade: D (48.8/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Chlorine, Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4605). 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 Justice's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Justice's water system has 94 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 38 remain unresolved. 23 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Mingo County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1974. 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 Tug Fork.
Where does Justice's water come from?
Justice's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 504 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Tug Fork (river).
What Justice residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Justice'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.
Justice'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
D2 — severe droughtMingo 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.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Mingo County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1974. 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. | 0.5 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Justice compares by contaminant
Explore where Justice ranks among all West Virginia cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Justice's water comes from
Justice'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 504 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Justice
Justice is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Justice
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| JUSTICE PSD | WV3303014 | 504 | SWP |
How Justice compares
Full West Virginia rankings →Justice's score of 48.8/100 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 →About Justice, WV
Wikipedia →Naugatuck is an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Naugatuck is located on the Tug Fork and U.S. Route 52, 5 miles (8.0 km) southeast of Kermit. Naugatuck has a post office with ZIP code 25685. The community was established in 1892.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Justice's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Mingo
Frequently asked questions
Is Justice, WV tap water safe to drink?
Justice's water quality earned a grade of D (48.8/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #151 out of 248 cities tested in West Virginia.
What contaminants are in Justice's water?
Lead was measured at 0.5 ppb (90th percentile). 94 violations are on record.
How is Justice'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 Justice?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Justice's water come from?
Justice's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 504 residents.
What health violations has Justice's water system had?
Justice has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 38 violations remain unresolved.
How does Justice's water compare to other cities?
Justice ranks #151 out of 248 cities in West Virginia (better than 39% of state cities) and #13416 out of 15744 cities nationally (15th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Justice's small water system affect quality?
Justice's system serves approximately 504 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 94 violations on record.