WaterVerge

Is West Liberty, OH Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 6 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: OH4602412
Overall Score
81.7 / 100
Violations
6 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#229 of 511 in Ohio Top 47% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
81.7/100
waterverge.com
B+ 81.7/100

West Liberty, OH — Water Quality Report

West Liberty's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,800 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 2.1 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 15 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about West Liberty's water

West Liberty ranks #229 out of 511 cities in Ohio for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

West Liberty 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, West Liberty may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
81.7 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
34.7/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 2.1 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is West Liberty, OH water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

West Liberty's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,800 residents using groundwater (wells).

6
Active Violations
2.1 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)

Recent water quality updates for West Liberty

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into West Liberty's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81.7/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for West Liberty's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.1 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

West Liberty's water system has 15 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

RPTTTOtherMRMONMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Dec 2022 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Nov 2021 Public Notice Open

Where does West Liberty's water come from?

West Liberty's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,800 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Short Creek Near Dillonvale (river), Ohio R (river), Wheeling Creek (river), Ohio River (river).

What West Liberty residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in West Liberty's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
2.1 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 14% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

15
Total violations
2
Health-based
6
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

15 Total
6 Active
2 Health-based
9 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
5
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
3
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
1
Jul 2025 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Dec 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Nov 2021 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jan 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2020 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2020
Jan 2020 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2020
May 2016 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved May 2016
Oct 2008 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 2008
Jul 1995 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 1995
Jan 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 1994
Dec 1993 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1993
Jun 1993 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 1993
Oct 1984 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1988
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of West Liberty

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near West Liberty, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
BELLETECH
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · AGC AMERICA INC
BELLEFONTAINE, OH43311
6.3 mi
AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS CO.
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · AGC AMERICA INC
BELLEFONTAINE, OH43311
7.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 2.1 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 2.1 ppb from 1993 (0.0 ppb) to 2025 (2.1 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how West Liberty compares by contaminant

Explore where West Liberty ranks among all Ohio cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,800
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where West Liberty's water comes from

Groundwater

West Liberty'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 1,800 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near West Liberty

West Liberty is located near 4 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Short Creek Near Dillonvale
river
Ohio R
river
Wheeling Creek
river
Ohio River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving West Liberty

System Name PWSID Population Source
WEST LIBERTY VILLAGE PWS OH4602412 1,800 GW
Regional Comparison

How West Liberty compares

Full Ohio rankings →

West Liberty's score of 81.7/100 is above the average of 58/100 among major Ohio cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

West Liberty (this city)
81.7
Columbus
35.5
Cleveland
85.5
Cincinnati
36.8
Toledo
78
Kent
38.2
Ohio avg
58
City Profile

About West Liberty, OH

Economic Profile
$58,417
Median Income
$143,864
Median Home Value
$547/mo
Median Rent
3.8%
Unemployment
Community
41.8
Median Age
555
People / sq mi
17.8%
College Educated
59.5%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is West Liberty, OH tap water safe to drink?

West Liberty's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #229 out of 511 cities tested in Ohio.

What contaminants are in West Liberty's water?

Lead was measured at 2.1 ppb (90th percentile). 15 violations are on record.

How is West Liberty'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 West Liberty?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does West Liberty's water come from?

West Liberty's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,800 residents.

What health violations has West Liberty's water system had?

West Liberty 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. 6 violations remain unresolved.

Is West Liberty's groundwater at risk of contamination?

West Liberty 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 15 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 West Liberty's water compare to other cities?

West Liberty ranks #229 out of 511 cities in Ohio (better than 55% of state cities) and #7357 out of 15744 cities nationally (53th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does West Liberty's small water system affect quality?

West Liberty's system serves approximately 1,800 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 15 violations on record.