Is Sistersville, WV Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 62 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
47/100
waterverge.com Sistersville, WV — Water Quality Report
Sistersville's drinking water received a grade of D (47 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,892 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.3 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 237 violations on record, including 10 health-based violations. 62 remain unresolved.
What to know about Sistersville's water
Sistersville ranks #160 out of 248 cities in West Virginia for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Sistersville 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, Sistersville may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 53 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Sistersville, WV water safe to drink?
Sistersville'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 1,892 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Sistersville
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Sistersville's water quality assessment. Grade: D (47/100).
Contaminants: Chlorine.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4787). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4220). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Sistersville's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Sistersville's water system has 237 total violations on record, including 10 health-based violations. 62 remain unresolved. 53 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Wetzel County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1972. 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 Ohio River, Ohio River Above Sardis.
Where does Sistersville's water come from?
Sistersville's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,892 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Ohio River (river), Ohio River Above Sardis (river).
What Sistersville residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Sistersville'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.
Sistersville'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 Sistersville
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Sistersville, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 18,555 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
MPM SILICONES LLC FRIENDLY, WV26146 | Methanol | 18,519 | 7.3 mi |
REAL ALLOY RECYCLING LLC FRIENDLY, WV26146 | Copper compounds | 36 | 7.9 mi |
PROVIRON INC FRIENDLY, WV26146 | — | — | 7.9 mi |
PAUL WISSMACH GLASS CO PADEN CITY, WV26159 | — | — | 4.8 mi |
PRECISION INTERNATIONAL LLC SISTERSVILLE, WV26175 | — | — | 0.0 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Superfund sites within 10 miles of Sistersville
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.
- PADEN CITY GROUNDWATER4.9 mi
Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtTyler 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
Wetzel County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1972. 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. | 2.3 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Sistersville compares by contaminant
Explore where Sistersville ranks among all West Virginia cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Sistersville's water comes from
Sistersville 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 Sistersville'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 1,892 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Sistersville
Sistersville is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Sistersville
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SISTERSVILLE MUNICIPAL WATER | WV3304803 | 1,892 | GWP |
How Sistersville compares
Full West Virginia rankings →Sistersville'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 Sistersville, WV
Wikipedia →New Martinsville is a city in and the county seat of Wetzel County, West Virginia, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 5,186 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Sistersville's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Tyler
Frequently asked questions
Is Sistersville, WV tap water safe to drink?
Sistersville's water quality earned a grade of D (47/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #160 out of 248 cities tested in West Virginia.
What contaminants are in Sistersville's water?
Lead was measured at 2.3 ppb (90th percentile). 237 violations are on record.
How is Sistersville'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 Sistersville?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Sistersville's water come from?
Sistersville's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,892 residents.
What health violations has Sistersville's water system had?
Sistersville has 10 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in November 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 62 violations remain unresolved.
Is Sistersville's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Sistersville 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 237 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 Sistersville's water compare to other cities?
Sistersville ranks #160 out of 248 cities in West Virginia (better than 35% of state cities) and #13751 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 Sistersville's small water system affect quality?
Sistersville's system serves approximately 1,892 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 237 violations on record.