Is New Haven, WV Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 33 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
47/100
waterverge.com New Haven, WV — Water Quality Report
New Haven's drinking water received a grade of D (47 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,649 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 0.4 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 148 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 33 remain unresolved.
What to know about New Haven's water
New Haven ranks #161 out of 248 cities in West Virginia for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
New Haven relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, New Haven may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 55 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is New Haven, WV water safe to drink?
New Haven's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (47/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,649 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for New Haven
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New Haven's water quality assessment. Grade: D (47/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
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 New Haven's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
New Haven's water system has 148 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 33 remain unresolved. 55 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 New Haven's water come from?
New Haven's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,649 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 New Haven residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in New Haven'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.
New Haven'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
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of New Haven
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near New Haven, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 29,842 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
GAVIN POWER LLC CHESHIRE, OH45620 | Barium And Barium Compounds | 14,681 | 8.5 mi |
MOUNTAINEER PLANT NEW HAVEN, WV25265 | Manganese compounds | 9,609 | 1.0 mi |
KYGER CREEK STATION CHESHIRE, OH45620 | Copper And Copper Compounds | 4,609 | 9.0 mi |
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES INC MILLWOOD WV MILLWOOD, WV25262 | Manganese And Manganese Compounds | 780 | 8.9 mi |
FELMAN PRODUCTION INC LETART, WV25253 | Manganese And Manganese Compounds | 163 | 3.1 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Superfund sites within 10 miles of New Haven
Superfund sites nearby
Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
- WEST VIRGINIA ORDNANCE USARMY7.3 mi
Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List
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.
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. | 0.4 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how New Haven compares by contaminant
Explore where New Haven ranks among all West Virginia cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where New Haven's water comes from
New Haven's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,649 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near New Haven
New Haven is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving New Haven
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW HAVEN WATER DEPT | WV3302709 | 1,649 | GW |
How New Haven compares
Full West Virginia rankings →New Haven's score of 47/100 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 New Haven, WV
Wikipedia →New Haven is a town in Mason County, West Virginia, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 1,485 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Point Pleasant, WV–OH Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to New Haven's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Mason
Frequently asked questions
Is New Haven, WV tap water safe to drink?
New Haven's water quality earned a grade of D (47/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #161 out of 248 cities tested in West Virginia.
What contaminants are in New Haven's water?
Lead was measured at 0.4 ppb (90th percentile). 148 violations are on record.
How is New Haven'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 New Haven?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Haven's water come from?
New Haven's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,649 residents.
What health violations has New Haven's water system had?
New Haven has 1 health-based violation 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. 33 violations remain unresolved.
Is New Haven's groundwater at risk of contamination?
New Haven 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 148 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 New Haven's water compare to other cities?
New Haven ranks #161 out of 248 cities in West Virginia (better than 35% of state cities) and #13762 out of 15744 cities nationally (13th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does New Haven's small water system affect quality?
New Haven's system serves approximately 1,649 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 148 violations on record.