Copper in West Virginia Drinking Water
Ranked by 90th percentile copper level (mg/L) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR
Copper in West Virginia: what the data shows
West Virginia has 37 cities with copper monitoring data. The state average 90th percentile copper level is 17.371 mg/L, compared to 28.808 mg/L nationally — better than the national average. 37 cities exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L. Copper in drinking water typically comes from corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, particularly in older homes. The EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L is the 90th percentile threshold — if more than 10% of tap samples exceed it, utilities must take corrective action including adjusting water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. Short-term copper exposure above the action level can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure at elevated levels is associated with liver and kidney damage. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use and using an NSF 53-certified filter can reduce copper exposure.
Cities exceeding 1.3 mg/L EPA Action Level
Copper data across West Virginia
Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with copper levels above the 1.3 mg/L EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.
Top 10 cities by copper level in West Virginia
Highest Copper levels (mg/L)
All West Virginia cities ranked by copper level
| # | City | Level | Level | Exceeds? | Violations | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron | 260.000 mg/L | Yes | 12 | F | |
| 2 | Windsor Heights | 140.000 mg/L | Yes | 20 | C+ | |
| 3 | Berkeley Springs | 93.300 mg/L | Yes | 13 | F | |
| 4 | Crichton | 63.000 mg/L | Yes | 1 | D+ | |
| 5 | Athens | 27.600 mg/L | Yes | 1 | A- | |
| 6 | Union | 6.272 mg/L | Yes | 11 | B | |
| 7 | Five Forks | 3.820 mg/L | Yes | 9 | F | |
| 8 | Kenova | 3.570 mg/L | Yes | 9 | C+ | |
| 9 | Moundsville | 2.400 mg/L | Yes | 11 | F | |
| 10 | Morgantown | 2.194 mg/L | Yes | 50 | F | |
| 11 | St. Marys | 1.860 mg/L | Yes | 3 | C+ | |
| 12 | Point Pleasant | 1.700 mg/L | Yes | 11 | F | |
| 13 | Rainelle | 1.670 mg/L | Yes | 14 | F | |
| 14 | Washington | 1.640 mg/L | Yes | 3 | B | |
| 15 | Martinsburg | 1.620 mg/L | Yes | 16 | F | |
| 16 | Summersville | 1.620 mg/L | Yes | 2 | A- | |
| 17 | Clear Creek | 1.620 mg/L | Yes | 1 | B | |
| 18 | Waverly | 1.560 mg/L | Yes | 4 | B | |
| 19 | Pax | 1.560 mg/L | Yes | 7 | F | |
| 20 | Mt Storm | 1.520 mg/L | Yes | 6 | D+ | |
| 21 | Franklin | 1.515 mg/L | Yes | 47 | D | |
| 22 | Franklin | 1.515 mg/L | Yes | 22 | B | |
| 23 | Beech Bottom | 1.500 mg/L | Yes | 1 | A- | |
| 24 | Paden City | 1.480 mg/L | Yes | 33 | F | |
| 25 | Hartford City (Corporate Name | 1.460 mg/L | Yes | 2 | F | |
| 26 | Friendly | 1.440 mg/L | Yes | 2 | C+ | |
| 27 | New Martinsville | 1.430 mg/L | Yes | 4 | F | |
| 28 | Welch | 1.420 mg/L | Yes | 20 | F | |
| 29 | Wardensville | 1.420 mg/L | Yes | 33 | F | |
| 30 | Mill Creek | 1.410 mg/L | Yes | 25 | F | |
| 31 | Moorefield | 1.400 mg/L | Yes | 45 | D | |
| 32 | West Union | 1.400 mg/L | Yes | 4 | F | |
| 33 | Mcgraws | 1.380 mg/L | Yes | 4 | C+ | |
| 34 | Capon Bridge | 1.380 mg/L | Yes | 2 | B- | |
| 35 | Lavalette | 1.350 mg/L | Yes | 2 | B | |
| 36 | Cottageville | 1.350 mg/L | Yes | 3 | C | |
| 37 | Reader | 1.350 mg/L | Yes | 1 | B+ |
Frequently asked questions about copper in West Virginia
Is copper in West Virginia drinking water safe?
37 cities in West Virginia exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L for copper. The state average is 17.371 mg/L. Copper levels are highest in homes with copper plumbing, particularly when water sits in pipes overnight. Flushing the tap before use significantly reduces copper in drinking water.
What causes high copper levels in West Virginia tap water?
Copper typically leaches from copper pipes and brass fittings within homes, not from the water source itself. Corrosive (low pH or soft) water accelerates this leaching. Water utilities with high copper readings are required to adjust water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use.