Nitrate Contamination

Nitrate in West Virginia Drinking Water

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

135

Cities Tested

135

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

4.3 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

223

Health Violations

Analysis

Nitrate in West Virginia: what the data shows

West Virginia has 135 cities with nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL for nitrate is 10 mg/L (measured as nitrogen). The state has 135 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%

135 of 135 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

8001 of 8001 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	Hedgesville	21 violations	Yes	5	D
6	Martinsburg	14 violations	Yes	16	F
7	Point Pleasant	13 violations	Yes	11	F
8	Mason (Rr Name Mason City)	13 violations	Yes	1	D+
9	Ridgeley (Rr Name Ridgely)	13 violations	Yes	4	F
10	Paden City	12 violations	Yes	33	F
11	Harpers Ferry	11 violations	Yes	21	D
12	Wiley Ford	10 violations	Yes	5	F
13	Shepherdstown	10 violations	Yes	20	C
14	Ravenswood	9 violations	Yes	12	F
15	Welch	8 violations	Yes	20	F
16	Hartford City (Corporate Name	8 violations	Yes	2	F
17	West Hamlin	7 violations	Yes	4	D
18	New Haven	7 violations	Yes	1	D
19	War	7 violations	Yes	5	D
20	Cameron	7 violations	Yes	12	F
21	Moundsville	6 violations	Yes	11	F
22	Vienna	6 violations	Yes	1	C-
23	New Martinsville	6 violations	Yes	4	F
24	English	6 violations	Yes	11	D
25	English	6 violations	Yes	11	D
26	Rainelle	6 violations	Yes	14	F
27	Frametown	6 violations	Yes	9	D
28	Davis	6 violations	Yes	15	F
29	Berwind	6 violations	Yes	7	D
30	Cass	6 violations	Yes	4	D
31	Lewisburg	5 violations	Yes	17	F
32	Wiley Ford	5 violations	Yes	3	D
33	Wiley Ford	5 violations	Yes	3	D
34	Point Pleasant	5 violations	Yes	2	B
35	Franklin	5 violations	Yes	47	D
36	Richwood	5 violations	Yes	9	F
37	Naugatuck	5 violations	Yes	14	F
38	Fort Gay (Cassville)	5 violations	Yes	16	D
39	Hillsboro	5 violations	Yes	2	C+
40	Inwood	4 violations	Yes	12	D+
41	Alum Creek	4 violations	Yes	22	F
42	Procious (Camp)	4 violations	Yes	8	D
43	Sistersville	4 violations	Yes	10	D
44	Gilbert	4 violations	Yes	17	D
45	Pennsboro	4 violations	Yes	8	D+
46	Maybeury	4 violations	Yes	8	D+
47	Lumberport	4 violations	Yes	17	D
48	Piedmont	4 violations	Yes	15	F
49	Rowlesburg	4 violations	Yes	19	D
50	Hundred	4 violations	Yes	1	B+
51	Slab Fork	4 violations	Yes	7	B-
52	Follansbee	3 violations	Yes	5	D+
53	Moorefield	3 violations	Yes	45	D
54	Keyser	3 violations	Yes	6	D+
55	Mill Creek	3 violations	Yes	25	F
56	St. Marys	3 violations	Yes	3	C+
57	Mullens	3 violations	Yes	16	F
58	Coal City	3 violations	Yes	1	B
59	Terra Alta	3 violations	Yes	2	F
60	New Cumberland	3 violations	Yes	7	D
61	Mcmechen	3 violations	Yes	3	B-
62	Windsor Heights	3 violations	Yes	20	C+
63	Pineville	3 violations	Yes	13	D
64	Coalwood	3 violations	Yes	5	C
65	Benwood	3 violations	Yes	2	B+
66	Kermit	3 violations	Yes	5	D
67	Fairview	3 violations	Yes	2	F
68	Pax	3 violations	Yes	7	F
69	Meadow Bridge	3 violations	Yes	3	C
70	Pine Grove	3 violations	Yes	11	D
71	Logan	2 violations	Yes	22	F
72	Washington	2 violations	Yes	3	B
73	Albright	2 violations	Yes	3	D
74	Grafton	2 violations	Yes	1	F
75	Waverly	2 violations	Yes	4	B
76	White Sulphur Springs	2 violations	Yes	8	D
77	Princeton	2 violations	Yes	15	B
78	Bluewell	2 violations	Yes	34	D
79	Shinnston	2 violations	Yes	11	F
80	Augusta	2 violations	Yes	18	F
81	Mcgraws	2 violations	Yes	4	C+
82	Greenville	2 violations	Yes	18	F
83	Chester	2 violations	Yes	6	C
84	Harrisville	2 violations	Yes	18	D
85	Beverly	2 violations	Yes	0	C-
86	Clay	2 violations	Yes	13	D
87	Marlinton	2 violations	Yes	9	C
88	Gary	2 violations	Yes	27	F
89	Middlebourne	2 violations	Yes	16	D
90	Wardensville	2 violations	Yes	33	F
91	Belmont	2 violations	Yes	0	B
92	Keyser	2 violations	Yes	1	D
93	Canaan Valley	2 violations	Yes	4	D
94	Arthurdale	2 violations	Yes	5	F
95	Parkersburg	1 violations	Yes	8	C
96	Inwood	1 violations	Yes	5	B
97	Weirton	1 violations	Yes	21	F
98	Elkins	1 violations	Yes	22	D
99	St. Albans	1 violations	Yes	2	F
100	Kenova	1 violations	Yes	9	C+
101	Kingwood	1 violations	Yes	4	A
102	Mount Nebo	1 violations	Yes	4	B-
103	Athens	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
104	Newell	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
105	Glenville	1 violations	Yes	10	D
106	Sutton	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
107	Sutton	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
108	Friendly	1 violations	Yes	2	C+
109	Oceana	1 violations	Yes	40	D
110	Nettie	1 violations	Yes	13	B-
111	Reedsville	1 violations	Yes	20	D+
112	Cottageville	1 violations	Yes	3	C
113	Cowen	1 violations	Yes	4	D+
114	Williamson	1 violations	Yes	7	D
115	Gauley Bridge	1 violations	Yes	8	D
116	Glen Dale	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
117	Alderson	1 violations	Yes	5	A-
118	Danese	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
119	Matewan	1 violations	Yes	9	D
120	Belington	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
121	Proctor	1 violations	Yes	1	B-
122	Grantsville	1 violations	Yes	35	D
123	Mount Hope	1 violations	Yes	6	C
124	Crichton	1 violations	Yes	1	D+
125	Parsons	1 violations	Yes	15	C
126	Talcott	1 violations	Yes	7	B-
127	Rupert	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
128	Burnsville	1 violations	Yes	3	B-
129	Goshen	1 violations	Yes	6	C
130	Thomas	1 violations	Yes	27	D
131	Capon Bridge	1 violations	Yes	2	B-
132	Brandywine	1 violations	Yes	4	B
133	Franklin	1 violations	Yes	22	B
134	Ragland	1 violations	Yes	4	F
135	Justice	1 violations	Yes	2	D

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about nitrate in West Virginia

Is nitrate in West Virginia tap water dangerous?

Yes — 135 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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