Nitrate Contamination

Nitrate in West Virginia Drinking Water

Ranked by nitrate violation count · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

132

Cities Tested

132

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

4.2 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

220

Health Violations

Analysis

Nitrate in West Virginia: what the data shows

West Virginia has 132 cities with nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL for nitrate is 10 mg/L (measured as nitrogen). The state has 132 cities with at least one nitrate violation. Nitrate is the most common groundwater contaminant in the United States. It enters water supplies primarily through agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural and agricultural communities face the highest risk. The primary acute health concern is methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome") in infants under six months. Emerging research also links chronic nitrate exposure to thyroid disease, certain cancers, and adverse birth outcomes. Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation can remove nitrate from drinking water — standard carbon filters do not.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 mg/L EPA MCL

West Virginia

100%

132 of 132 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

7727 of 7727 cities

City Map

Nitrate data across West Virginia

Each dot is a city with nitrate violation data. Cities with at least one nitrate-related violation are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by nitrate level in West Virginia

Highest Nitrate levels (violations)

All Cities

All West Virginia cities ranked by nitrate level

#	City	Level	Violations?	Violations	Grade
1	Charles Town	45 violations	Yes	53	F
2	Morgantown	26 violations	Yes	50	F
3	Berkeley Springs	24 violations	Yes	13	F
4	Green Spring	23 violations	Yes	7	D
5	Martinsburg	14 violations	Yes	16	F
6	Point Pleasant	13 violations	Yes	11	F
7	Mason (Rr Name Mason City)	13 violations	Yes	1	D+
8	Ridgeley (Rr Name Ridgely)	13 violations	Yes	4	F
9	Paden City	12 violations	Yes	33	F
10	Harpers Ferry	11 violations	Yes	21	D
11	Wiley Ford	10 violations	Yes	5	F
12	Shepherdstown	10 violations	Yes	20	C
13	Ravenswood	9 violations	Yes	12	F
14	Welch	8 violations	Yes	20	F
15	Hartford City (Corporate Name	8 violations	Yes	2	F
16	West Hamlin	7 violations	Yes	4	D
17	New Haven	7 violations	Yes	1	D
18	War	7 violations	Yes	5	D
19	Cameron	7 violations	Yes	12	F
20	Vienna	6 violations	Yes	1	C-
21	Moundsville	6 violations	Yes	11	F
22	New Martinsville	6 violations	Yes	4	F
23	Bartley	6 violations	Yes	11	D
24	English	6 violations	Yes	11	D
25	Rainelle	6 violations	Yes	14	F
26	Frametown	6 violations	Yes	9	D
27	Davis	6 violations	Yes	15	F
28	Berwind	6 violations	Yes	7	D
29	Cass	6 violations	Yes	4	D
30	Lewisburg	5 violations	Yes	17	F
31	Fort Ashby	5 violations	Yes	3	D
32	Short Gap	5 violations	Yes	3	D
33	Lakin (Lakin State Hospital)	5 violations	Yes	2	B
34	Richwood	5 violations	Yes	9	F
35	Naugatuck	5 violations	Yes	14	F
36	Fort Gay (Cassville)	5 violations	Yes	16	D
37	Franklin	5 violations	Yes	47	D
38	Hillsboro	5 violations	Yes	2	C+
39	Alum Creek	4 violations	Yes	22	F
40	Procious (Camp)	4 violations	Yes	8	D
41	Sistersville	4 violations	Yes	10	D
42	Gilbert	4 violations	Yes	17	D
43	Maybeury	4 violations	Yes	8	D+
44	Lumberport	4 violations	Yes	17	D
45	Pennsboro	4 violations	Yes	8	D+
46	Piedmont	4 violations	Yes	15	F
47	Rowlesburg	4 violations	Yes	19	D
48	Hundred	4 violations	Yes	1	B+
49	Slab Fork	4 violations	Yes	7	B-
50	Follansbee	3 violations	Yes	5	D+
51	Keyser	3 violations	Yes	6	D+
52	Mill Creek	3 violations	Yes	25	F
53	Mullens	3 violations	Yes	16	F
54	Coal City	3 violations	Yes	1	B
55	Terra Alta	3 violations	Yes	2	F
56	St. Marys	3 violations	Yes	3	C+
57	Moorefield	3 violations	Yes	45	D
58	Mcmechen	3 violations	Yes	3	B-
59	Windsor Heights	3 violations	Yes	20	C+
60	Pineville	3 violations	Yes	13	D
61	Coalwood	3 violations	Yes	5	C
62	Benwood	3 violations	Yes	2	B+
63	New Cumberland	3 violations	Yes	7	D
64	Kermit	3 violations	Yes	5	D
65	Fairview	3 violations	Yes	2	F
66	Pax	3 violations	Yes	7	F
67	Meadow Bridge	3 violations	Yes	3	C
68	Pine Grove	3 violations	Yes	11	D
69	Logan	2 violations	Yes	22	F
70	Washington	2 violations	Yes	3	B
71	Grafton	2 violations	Yes	1	F
72	Waverly	2 violations	Yes	4	B
73	White Sulphur Springs	2 violations	Yes	8	D
74	Bluewell	2 violations	Yes	34	D
75	Shinnston	2 violations	Yes	11	F
76	Princeton	2 violations	Yes	15	B
77	Mcgraws	2 violations	Yes	4	C+
78	Greenville	2 violations	Yes	18	F
79	Chester	2 violations	Yes	6	C
80	Harrisville	2 violations	Yes	18	D
81	Beverly	2 violations	Yes	0	C-
82	Romney	2 violations	Yes	18	F
83	Clay	2 violations	Yes	13	D
84	Marlinton	2 violations	Yes	9	C
85	Gary	2 violations	Yes	27	F
86	Middlebourne	2 violations	Yes	16	D
87	Belmont	2 violations	Yes	0	B
88	Addition	2 violations	Yes	1	D
89	Wardensville	2 violations	Yes	33	F
90	Canaan Valley	2 violations	Yes	4	D
91	Arthurdale	2 violations	Yes	5	F
92	Baker Heights	1 violations	Yes	5	B
93	Parkersburg	1 violations	Yes	8	C
94	Weirton	1 violations	Yes	21	F
95	St. Albans	1 violations	Yes	2	F
96	Kenova	1 violations	Yes	9	C+
97	Elkins	1 violations	Yes	22	D
98	Kingwood	1 violations	Yes	4	A
99	Mount Nebo	1 violations	Yes	4	B-
100	Athens	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
101	Newell	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
102	Sutton	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
103	Flatwoods	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
104	Friendly	1 violations	Yes	2	C+
105	Oceana	1 violations	Yes	40	D
106	Nettie	1 violations	Yes	13	B-
107	Reedsville	1 violations	Yes	20	D+
108	Cottageville	1 violations	Yes	3	C
109	Cowen	1 violations	Yes	4	D+
110	Williamson	1 violations	Yes	7	D
111	Gauley Bridge	1 violations	Yes	8	D
112	Glen Dale	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
113	Alderson	1 violations	Yes	5	A-
114	Danese	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
115	Matewan	1 violations	Yes	9	D
116	Belington	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
117	Proctor	1 violations	Yes	1	B-
118	Glenville	1 violations	Yes	10	D
119	Grantsville	1 violations	Yes	35	D
120	Mount Hope	1 violations	Yes	6	C
121	Crichton	1 violations	Yes	1	D+
122	Parsons	1 violations	Yes	15	C
123	Talcott	1 violations	Yes	7	B-
124	Rupert	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
125	Burnsville	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
126	Goshen	1 violations	Yes	6	C
127	Thomas	1 violations	Yes	27	D
128	Capon Bridge	1 violations	Yes	2	B-
129	Brandywine	1 violations	Yes	4	B
130	Upper Tract	1 violations	Yes	22	B
131	Ragland	1 violations	Yes	4	F
132	Justice	1 violations	Yes	2	D

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about nitrate in West Virginia

Is nitrate in West Virginia tap water dangerous?

Yes — 132 cities in West Virginia have nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL is 10 mg/L. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants under six months, where it can cause methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome"). Adults face lower acute risk, but chronic exposure is linked to thyroid disease and certain cancers.

How can I remove nitrate from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation are effective at removing nitrate. Standard carbon filters (including most pitcher and faucet-mount filters) do NOT remove nitrate. If you rely on a private well in an agricultural area, have your water tested annually for nitrate.

What causes high nitrate levels in West Virginia water?

Nitrate contamination comes primarily from agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural communities near intensive farming are most at risk. Shallow wells are particularly vulnerable. Heavy rainfall can spike nitrate levels as it washes fertilizer into groundwater and surface water supplies.

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