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Lead Contamination

Lead in West Virginia Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile lead level (ppb) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

245
Cities Tested
2
Exceeds Limit
1%
% Exceeds Limit
2.0 ppb
State Avg
▼ 1% vs national
vs National
220
Health Violations
Analysis

Lead in West Virginia: what the data shows

West Virginia has 245 cities with lead monitoring data, with very few cities exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The state average 90th percentile lead level is 2.0 ppb, compared to 3.3 ppb nationally — better than the national average. 2 cities exceed the 15 ppb action level. High lead levels in tap water typically indicate aging infrastructure — lead service lines, lead solder in older plumbing, or lead-containing brass fixtures. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children. The 90th percentile measurement means that 90% of tap samples in a city are at or below the reported level. This is the standard EPA uses under the Lead and Copper Rule to determine if a water system needs to take corrective action. An NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter can effectively remove lead at the tap.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 15 ppb EPA Action Level

West Virginia
1%
2 of 245 cities
← ▼ 1% below national rate (better)
National avg
2%
352 of 15325 cities
City Map

Lead data across West Virginia

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with lead levels above the 15 ppb EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lead level in West Virginia

Highest Lead levels (ppb)

  1. 1 F Davis 29.2 ppb Yes 977
  2. 2 F Richwood 18.5 ppb Yes 2K
  3. 3 F Lester 14.1 ppb 665
  4. 4 F Fairmont 13.3 ppb 40K
  5. 5 B- Cool Ridge 9.8 ppb 4K
  6. 6 A- Belington 9.6 ppb 2K
  7. 7 C Cottageville 9.3 ppb 3K
  8. 8 F Morgantown 9.0 ppb 69K
  9. 9 B- Capon Bridge 9.0 ppb 700
  10. 10 C+ Durbin Fr Bart 9.0 ppb 504
All Cities

All West Virginia cities ranked by lead level

# City Level Level Exceeds? Violations Grade
1 Davis 29.2 ppb
Yes 15
F
2 Richwood 18.5 ppb
Yes 9
F
3 Lester 14.1 ppb
No 13
F
4 Fairmont 13.3 ppb
No 18
F
5 Cool Ridge 9.8 ppb
No 1
B-
6 Belington 9.6 ppb
No 0
A-
7 Cottageville 9.3 ppb
No 3
C
8 Morgantown 9.0 ppb
No 50
F
9 Capon Bridge 9.0 ppb
No 2
B-
10 Durbin Fr Bart 9.0 ppb
No 2
C+
11 Frank 9.0 ppb
No 2
C+
12 Varney 8.6 ppb
No 7
F
13 Piedmont 7.9 ppb
No 15
F
14 Princeton 7.2 ppb
No 15
B
15 Lewisburg 7.1 ppb
No 17
F
16 Ridgeley (Rr Name Ridgely) 6.3 ppb
No 4
F
17 Proctor 5.6 ppb
No 1
B-
18 Cameron 5.6 ppb
No 12
F
19 Mason (Rr Name Mason City) 5.3 ppb
No 1
D+
20 Friendly 4.9 ppb
No 2
C+
21 Vienna 4.6 ppb
No 1
C-
22 Hundred 4.6 ppb
No 1
B+
23 Lakin (Lakin State Hospital) 4.5 ppb
No 2
B
24 Letart 4.5 ppb
No 0
A-
25 Athens 4.3 ppb
No 1
A-
26 Ripley 4.3 ppb
No 62
F
27 Addition 4.3 ppb
No 1
D
28 New Creek (Newcreek) 3.9 ppb
No 4
B
29 War 3.9 ppb
No 5
D
30 Wiley Ford 3.8 ppb
No 5
F
31 Gary 3.8 ppb
No 27
F
32 Norton 3.8 ppb
No 2
B+
33 Junior 3.8 ppb
No 0
A-
34 Arthurdale 3.7 ppb
No 5
F
35 Berkeley Springs 3.5 ppb
No 13
F
36 Romney 3.5 ppb
No 18
F
37 Williamstown 3.4 ppb
No 2
C-
38 Clarksburg 3.3 ppb
No 5
F
39 Ravenswood 3.3 ppb
No 12
F
40 Peterstown 3.2 ppb
No 2
A-
41 Chester 3.2 ppb
No 6
C
42 Walton 3.2 ppb
No 16
B
43 Ashton 3.1 ppb
No 0
B+
44 Terra Alta 3.1 ppb
No 2
F
45 Crichton 2.9 ppb
No 1
D+
46 Baker Heights 2.9 ppb
No 5
B
47 Nettie 2.9 ppb
No 13
B-
48 Belmont 2.9 ppb
No 0
B
49 Craigsville 2.7 ppb
No 3
A-
50 Parkersburg 2.6 ppb
No 8
C
51 Bluewell 2.6 ppb
No 34
D
52 Harrisville 2.6 ppb
No 18
D
53 Star City 2.6 ppb
No 0
B+
54 Clay 2.6 ppb
No 13
D
55 Martinsburg 2.6 ppb
No 16
F
56 Augusta 2.5 ppb
No 3
B-
57 Talcott 2.5 ppb
No 7
B-
58 Reedsville 2.4 ppb
No 20
D+
59 Slab Fork 2.4 ppb
No 7
B-
60 Sistersville 2.3 ppb
No 10
D
61 Mineralwells 2.1 ppb
No 14
C
62 Point Pleasant 2.1 ppb
No 11
F
63 Stonewood 2.1 ppb
No 2
B+
64 Shepherdstown 2.0 ppb
No 20
C
65 Mt Storm 2.0 ppb
No 6
D+
66 Hepzibah 2.0 ppb
No 2
B
67 Hambleton 2.0 ppb
No 12
D
68 Hendricks 2.0 ppb
No 12
D
69 St. George 2.0 ppb
No 12
D
70 Kermit 2.0 ppb
No 5
D
71 Gerrardstown 2.0 ppb
No 0
B+
72 Pine Grove 2.0 ppb
No 11
D
73 Reader 1.9 ppb
No 1
B+
74 Paw Paw 1.9 ppb
No 16
D
75 Maysville 1.8 ppb
No 0
A-
76 Gallipolis Ferry (Rr Name Gall 1.8 ppb
No 0
B
77 Pax 1.8 ppb
No 7
F
78 Keyser 1.7 ppb
No 6
D+
79 West Hamlin 1.7 ppb
No 4
D
80 Elizabeth 1.7 ppb
No 2
C+
81 Cowen 1.6 ppb
No 4
D+
82 Worthington 1.6 ppb
No 2
F
83 Follansbee 1.5 ppb
No 5
D+
84 Kingwood 1.5 ppb
No 4
A
85 Core 1.5 ppb
No 0
A-
86 Monongah 1.5 ppb
No 5
B+
87 Boothsville 1.5 ppb
No 1
F
88 New Cumberland 1.5 ppb
No 7
D
89 Adamsville 1.5 ppb
No 2
C
90 Francis 1.5 ppb
No 2
C
91 Burlington 1.5 ppb
No 0
D+
92 Upper Tract 1.5 ppb
No 22
B
93 Sutton 1.4 ppb
No 3
A-
94 Flatwoods 1.4 ppb
No 3
A-
95 West Union 1.4 ppb
No 4
F
96 Wardensville 1.4 ppb
No 33
F
97 Meadowville 1.4 ppb
No 0
B+
98 St. Albans 1.3 ppb
No 2
F
99 Glen Dale 1.3 ppb
No 6
A-
100 Salem 1.3 ppb
No 38
F
101 Clover 1.3 ppb
No 20
C
102 Beckley 1.3 ppb
No 7
A-
103 Odd 1.3 ppb
No 6
B-
104 Bethlehem 1.2 ppb
No 6
B+
105 Mannington 1.2 ppb
No 19
C
106 Maybeury 1.2 ppb
No 8
D+
107 Hartford City (Corporate Name 1.2 ppb
No 2
F
108 Shinnston 1.2 ppb
No 11
F
109 Welch 1.2 ppb
No 20
F
110 Mcgraws 1.1 ppb
No 4
C+
111 Danese 1.1 ppb
No 1
A-
112 Fort Ashby 1.1 ppb
No 3
D
113 Short Gap 1.1 ppb
No 3
D
114 New Martinsville 1.1 ppb
No 4
F
115 New Manchester (Pughtown) 1.1 ppb
No 0
A-
116 Five Forks 1.1 ppb
No 9
F
117 Burnsville 1.1 ppb
No 3
B-
118 Ragland 1.1 ppb
No 4
F
119 Alderson 1.1 ppb
No 5
A-
120 Union 1.1 ppb
No 11
B
121 Huntington 1.0 ppb
No 1
A-
122 Charles Town 1.0 ppb
No 53
F
123 West Liberty 1.0 ppb
No 9
B
124 Petersburg 1.0 ppb
No 9
B
125 Hurricane 1.0 ppb
No 2
A
126 Paden City 1.0 ppb
No 33
F
127 Mcmechen 1.0 ppb
No 3
B-
128 Procious (Camp) 1.0 ppb
No 8
D
129 Harpers Ferry 1.0 ppb
No 21
D
130 Tunnelton 1.0 ppb
No 2
B
131 Pennsboro 1.0 ppb
No 8
D+
132 Rainelle 1.0 ppb
No 14
F
133 Washington 0.9 ppb
No 3
B
134 Marlinton 0.9 ppb
No 9
C
135 Arnett 0.9 ppb
No 13
C-
136 Gauley Bridge 0.9 ppb
No 8
D
137 Philippi 0.9 ppb
No 5
F
138 Lumberport 0.9 ppb
No 17
D
139 Moorefield 0.9 ppb
No 45
D
140 Griffithsville 0.9 ppb
No 2
D
141 Green Spring 0.9 ppb
No 7
D
142 Lavalette 0.9 ppb
No 2
B
143 White Sulphur Springs 0.9 ppb
No 8
D
144 Buckhannon 0.9 ppb
No 3
C-
145 Brandywine 0.8 ppb
No 4
B
146 Ceredo 0.8 ppb
No 11
B-
147 Clear Creek 0.8 ppb
No 1
B
148 Beaver 0.8 ppb
No 8
B-
149 Newburg 0.8 ppb
No 0
A-
150 Canaan Valley 0.8 ppb
No 4
D
151 Reynoldsville 0.8 ppb
No 0
B+
152 Chestnut Ridge 0.8 ppb
No 1
B+
153 Weirton 0.7 ppb
No 21
F
154 Spencer 0.7 ppb
No 5
A
155 Franklin 0.7 ppb
No 47
D
156 Alum Creek 0.7 ppb
No 22
F
157 Benwood 0.7 ppb
No 2
B+
158 Ronceverte 0.7 ppb
No 7
D+
159 Fairview 0.7 ppb
No 2
F
160 Mullens 0.7 ppb
No 16
F
161 Waverly 0.7 ppb
No 4
B
162 Mount Nebo 0.7 ppb
No 4
B-
163 Belva 0.7 ppb
No 5
D
164 Moundsville 0.6 ppb
No 11
F
165 Limestone 0.6 ppb
No 1
A
166 Pleasant Valley 0.6 ppb
No 1
A
167 Rupert 0.6 ppb
No 0
A-
168 Thomas 0.6 ppb
No 27
D
169 Hillsboro 0.6 ppb
No 2
C+
170 Coalwood 0.6 ppb
No 5
C
171 Birch River 0.6 ppb
No 3
B+
172 Parsons 0.6 ppb
No 15
C
173 Elkins 0.6 ppb
No 22
D
174 Oceana 0.6 ppb
No 40
D
175 St. Marys 0.6 ppb
No 3
C+
176 Chapmanville 0.5 ppb
No 6
F
177 Rowlesburg 0.5 ppb
No 19
D
178 Fenwick 0.5 ppb
No 11
F
179 West Milford 0.5 ppb
No 17
F
180 Mount Hope 0.5 ppb
No 6
C
181 Middlebourne 0.5 ppb
No 16
D
182 Mill Creek 0.5 ppb
No 25
F
183 Justice 0.5 ppb
No 2
D
184 Summersville 0.5 ppb
No 2
A-
185 Grantsville 0.5 ppb
No 35
D
186 Wallace 0.5 ppb
No 15
D+
187 Bartley 0.5 ppb
No 11
D
188 English 0.5 ppb
No 11
D
189 Pineville 0.5 ppb
No 13
D
190 Wellsburg 0.4 ppb
No 11
F
191 Pruntytown 0.4 ppb
No 1
B-
192 New Haven 0.4 ppb
No 1
D
193 Branchland 0.4 ppb
No 8
B+
194 Grafton 0.4 ppb
No 1
F
195 Berwind 0.4 ppb
No 7
D
196 Coal City 0.4 ppb
No 1
B
197 Beverly 0.4 ppb
No 0
C-
198 Farmington 0.4 ppb
No 15
F
199 Maidsville 0.3 ppb
No 6
D
200 Rachel (Downs) 0.3 ppb
No 5
B+
201 Beech Bottom 0.3 ppb
No 1
A-
202 Cass 0.3 ppb
No 4
D
203 Camden-On-Gauley (Corp/Rr Name 0.3 ppb
No 12
F
204 Newell 0.3 ppb
No 1
A-
205 Volga 0.3 ppb
No 5
A
206 Glenville 0.3 ppb
No 10
D
207 Bridgeport 0.3 ppb
No 4
B+
208 Meadow Bridge 0.2 ppb
No 3
C
209 Flemington 0.2 ppb
No 3
B
210 Snowshoe Resort 0.2 ppb
No 22
D+
211 Frametown 0.2 ppb
No 9
D
212 Nutter Fort 0.1 ppb
No 3
F
213 Charleston 0.0 ppb
No 0
A
214 Wheeling 0.0 ppb
No 8
B-
215 Oak Hill 0.0 ppb
No 0
A-
216 Logan 0.0 ppb
No 22
F
217 Scott Depot (Rr Name Scott) 0.0 ppb
No 0
A-
218 Hinton 0.0 ppb
No 0
A-
219 Henlawson 0.0 ppb
No 8
D
220 Weston 0.0 ppb
No 0
A-
221 Bluefield 0.0 ppb
No 0
A+
222 Kenova 0.0 ppb
No 9
C+
223 Wayne 0.0 ppb
No 19
F
224 French Creek 0.0 ppb
No 2
A
225 Triadelphia 0.0 ppb
No 4
B
226 Amherstdale 0.0 ppb
No 6
B+
227 Greenville 0.0 ppb
No 18
F
228 Crum 0.0 ppb
No 1
B
229 Sherrard 0.0 ppb
No 1
B+
230 Williamson 0.0 ppb
No 7
D
231 Masontown 0.0 ppb
No 9
B-
232 Matewan 0.0 ppb
No 9
D
233 Windsor Heights 0.0 ppb
No 20
C+
234 Gassaway 0.0 ppb
No 0
B+
235 Naugatuck 0.0 ppb
No 14
F
236 Gilbert 0.0 ppb
No 17
D
237 Daniels 0.0 ppb
No 0
A-
238 Fort Gay (Cassville) 0.0 ppb
No 16
D
239 Jane Lew 0.0 ppb
No 13
B+
240 Anmoore 0.0 ppb
No 5
B-
241 Goshen 0.0 ppb
No 6
C
242 Valley Grove 0.0 ppb
No 42
D
243 Rivesville 0.0 ppb
No 16
F
244 Normantown 0.0 ppb
No 1
D
245 Grant Town 0.0 ppb
No 5
B+
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lead in West Virginia

Is lead in West Virginia tap water a concern?

Yes — 2 of 245 cities with lead data exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The state average is 2.0 ppb. Even below the action level, lead poses health risks especially for children and pregnant women. If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your tap water directly.

How can I reduce lead exposure from West Virginia tap water?

Use an NSF 53-certified water filter, which is specifically certified to reduce lead. Run your cold tap for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking, especially if water has been sitting in pipes for hours. Never use hot tap water for cooking or making baby formula, as heat increases lead leaching from pipes.

Which West Virginia cities have the highest lead levels?

The cities with the highest 90th percentile lead levels in West Virginia are: Davis (29.2 ppb), Richwood (18.5 ppb), Lester (14.1 ppb), Fairmont (13.3 ppb), Cool Ridge (9.8 ppb). See the full ranked table above.

More contaminants

Other contaminants in West Virginia

PFAS in West Virginia
Ranked by compounds detected
→
Copper in West Virginia
Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)
→
HAA5 in West Virginia
Ranked by average concentration (µg/L)
→
Chromium-6 in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Arsenic in West Virginia
Ranked by violation count
→
Nitrate in West Virginia
Ranked by violation count
→
Strontium in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
1,4-Dioxane in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Manganese in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Vanadium in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Chlorate in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Molybdenum in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Cobalt in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Lithium in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
NDMA in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (ng/L)
→
Perchlorate in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
All states

Lead in drinking water by state

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
← Lead contamination overview Explore West Virginia water quality → National Lead map →