PFAS Contamination

PFAS in West Virginia Drinking Water

Ranked by number of PFAS compounds detected · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

18%

% Exceeds Limit

1.1 compounds

State Avg

▼ 3% vs national

vs National

223

Health Violations

Analysis

PFAS in West Virginia: what the data shows

West Virginia has 92 cities with PFAS monitoring data from the EPA's UCMR 5 program. PFAS ("forever chemicals") were detected in 43 of those cities (47%), with a significant share of cities exceeding the EPA's 2024 maximum contaminant levels of 4 ppt. The state average is better than the national average. 17 cities exceed the EPA MCL for at least one PFAS compound. PFAS are linked to cancer, immune system disruption, and developmental issues. The 2024 EPA rule requires water systems exceeding the MCL to notify customers and reduce levels by 2029. PFAS data comes from the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR 5), which required large water systems to test for 29 PFAS compounds between 2023–2025. Not all systems have completed testing — cities without data may still have PFAS present.

Comparison

Cities exceeding EPA MCL (4 ppt each)

West Virginia

18%

17 of 92 cities

← ▼ 3% below national rate (better)

National avg

21%

1662 of 7853 cities

City Map

PFAS data across West Virginia

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. PFAS-tested cities are shown; those exceeding the 4 ppt EPA MCL appear in red. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by pfas level in West Virginia

Highest PFAS levels (compounds)

All Cities

All West Virginia cities ranked by pfas level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Charles Town	8 compounds	Yes	53	F
2	New Martinsville	7 compounds	Yes	4	F
3	Williamstown	7 compounds	Yes	2	C-
4	Weirton	6 compounds	Yes	21	F
5	Washington	5 compounds	Yes	3	B
6	Ravenswood	5 compounds	Yes	12	F
7	Wellsburg	5 compounds	Yes	11	F
8	Inwood	4 compounds	No	12	D+
9	Inwood	4 compounds	No	5	B
10	Martinsburg	3 compounds	No	16	F
11	Parkersburg	3 compounds	Yes	8	C
12	Lavalette	3 compounds	Yes	2	B
13	Shepherdstown	3 compounds	No	20	C
14	Pennsboro	3 compounds	Yes	8	D+
15	Wheeling	2 compounds	No	8	B-
16	Vienna	2 compounds	No	1	C-
17	Mineralwells	2 compounds	Yes	14	C
18	St. Marys	2 compounds	Yes	3	C+
19	Sherrard	2 compounds	No	1	B+
20	Beckley	1 compounds	No	7	A-
21	Logan	1 compounds	No	22	F
22	Logan	1 compounds	No	8	D
23	Moundsville	1 compounds	No	11	F
24	Point Pleasant	1 compounds	No	11	F
25	St. Albans	1 compounds	No	2	F
26	Ripley	1 compounds	Yes	62	F
27	Kenova	1 compounds	No	9	C+
28	Bridgeport	1 compounds	Yes	4	B+
29	West Liberty	1 compounds	No	9	B
30	Albright	1 compounds	No	3	D
31	Hurricane	1 compounds	No	2	A
32	Follansbee	1 compounds	No	5	D+
33	Waverly	1 compounds	Yes	4	B
34	White Sulphur Springs	1 compounds	No	8	D
35	West Milford	1 compounds	Yes	17	F
36	Bluewell	1 compounds	No	34	D
37	French Creek	1 compounds	No	2	A
38	Alum Creek	1 compounds	No	22	F
39	Amherstdale	1 compounds	No	6	B+
40	Mullens	1 compounds	No	16	F
41	Greenville	1 compounds	No	18	F
42	Wallace	1 compounds	Yes	15	D+
43	Naugatuck	1 compounds	No	14	F
44	Charleston	0 compounds	No	0	A
45	Huntington	0 compounds	No	1	A-
46	Morgantown	0 compounds	No	50	F
47	Fairmont	0 compounds	No	18	F
48	Oak Hill	0 compounds	No	0	A-
49	Scott Depot (Rr Name Scott)	0 compounds	No	0	A-
50	Hinton	0 compounds	No	0	A-
51	Clarksburg	0 compounds	No	5	F
52	Buckhannon	0 compounds	No	3	C-
53	Elkins	0 compounds	No	22	D
54	Weston	0 compounds	No	0	A-
55	Lewisburg	0 compounds	No	17	F
56	Bluefield	0 compounds	No	0	A+
57	Petersburg	0 compounds	No	9	B
58	Grafton	0 compounds	No	1	F
59	Wiley Ford	0 compounds	No	5	F
60	Princeton	0 compounds	No	15	B
61	Wiley Ford	0 compounds	No	3	D
62	Wiley Ford	0 compounds	No	3	D
63	Arnett	0 compounds	No	13	C-
64	Kingwood	0 compounds	No	4	A
65	Mount Nebo	0 compounds	No	4	B-
66	Shinnston	0 compounds	No	11	F
67	Keyser	0 compounds	No	6	D+
68	Athens	0 compounds	No	1	A-
69	Summersville	0 compounds	No	2	A-
70	Wayne	0 compounds	No	19	F
71	Mill Creek	0 compounds	No	25	F
72	Peterstown	0 compounds	No	2	A-
73	Flemington	0 compounds	No	3	B
74	Craigsville	0 compounds	No	3	A-
75	Sutton	0 compounds	No	3	A-
76	Spencer	0 compounds	No	5	A
77	Beaver	0 compounds	No	8	B-
78	Petersburg	0 compounds	No	0	A-
79	Sutton	0 compounds	No	3	A-
80	Point Pleasant	0 compounds	No	2	B
81	Berkeley Springs	0 compounds	No	13	F
82	Cool Ridge	0 compounds	No	1	B-
83	Mannington	0 compounds	No	19	C
84	Belva	0 compounds	No	5	D
85	Core	0 compounds	No	0	A-
86	Reedsville	0 compounds	No	20	D+
87	Cowen	0 compounds	No	4	D+
88	Alderson	0 compounds	No	5	A-
89	Frametown	0 compounds	No	9	D
90	Junior	0 compounds	No	0	A-
91	Normantown	0 compounds	No	1	D
92	Arthurdale	0 compounds	No	5	F

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about pfas in West Virginia

Does West Virginia tap water contain PFAS?

PFAS were detected in 43 of 92 West Virginia cities tested under EPA's UCMR 5 program. 17 cities exceed the 2024 EPA MCL of 4 ppt for individual PFAS compounds.

How can I remove PFAS from my drinking water in West Virginia?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing PFAS, typically removing 90%+ of compounds. High-quality activated carbon block filters (NSF 58-certified for RO, or NSF 53 for solid carbon) also provide significant reduction. Standard pitcher filters vary widely in PFAS removal.

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