01The verdict: is Lester water safe?
Lester's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (34/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 665 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
61 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓665 people, 1 system
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓Lead is approaching its limit
Measured at 14.1 ppb — 94% of the 15 ppb limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Lester's drinking water received a grade of F (34 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 665 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 14.1 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 112 violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 61 remain unresolved.
Lester ranks #244 out of 245 cities in West Virginia for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Lester may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 36 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Lester's water
Every contaminant flagged in Lester, 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.
Near Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Within EPA limits but above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended level of 1 ppb — no lead level is considered safe for children. An NSF 53-certified filter provides additional protection, and running the cold tap 30 seconds after stagnation reduces exposure.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. | 14.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Near 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
03Lester'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 112 violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 61 remain unresolved.
1 of the last ten years was clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 2.9 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 14 ppb (2022) — 94% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Lester's water comes from
Lester's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
665 people
Residents served across Lester's service area.
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 665 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LESTER MUNICIPAL WATER WORKS | WV3304115 | 665 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near Lester
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Lester's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Lester'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.
Industrial discharge
2 facilities within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Raleigh County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Raleigh County is in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Lester compares
Scores for nearby West Virginia cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = West Virginia average (68/100)
Lester scores 34/100 — below the West Virginia average of 68/100. 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 Lester's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 14.1 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Lester 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 Lester, WV tap water safe to drink?
Lester's water quality earned a grade of F (34/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #244 out of 245 cities tested in West Virginia.
What contaminants are in Lester's water?
Lead was measured at 14.1 ppb (90th percentile). 112 violations are on record.
How is Lester'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 Lester?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Lester's water come from?
Lester's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 665 residents.
What health violations has Lester's water system had?
Lester has 13 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 61 violations remain unresolved.
How does Lester's water compare to other cities?
Lester ranks #244 out of 245 cities in West Virginia (better than 0% of state cities) and #15235 out of 15382 cities nationally (1th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Lester's small water system affect quality?
Lester's system serves approximately 665 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 112 violations on record.