West Virginia Water Quality — 245 Cities Tested

Latest water news in West Virginia

Recent reporting on West Virginia drinking water — boil-water advisories, regulatory action, and infrastructure events.

Jun 27, 2026

Chemours to Pay Over $450 Million in First Federal PFAS Settlement — but North Carolina Wasn't at the Table

EPA and DOJ announced a $450M-plus settlement with Chemours on June 24 over PFAS in three rivers — even as EPA moves to roll back drinking-water limits.

Read full story →

Analysis

West Virginia water quality overview

West Virginia's drinking water quality is fair overall, with an average score of 61.5 out of 100 across 245 cities tested. The median score is 57.5, serving a total population of 1,501,236 residents. 49% of cities scored a D or F, pointing to significant water quality challenges in parts of the state. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in 41 of 245 cities tested (17%). 17 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. 2 cities have lead levels exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb, often indicating aging infrastructure with lead service lines or lead solder. The state relies on a mix of water sources: 69 cities use groundwater while 176 draw from surface water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Concerns

Issues to watch in West Virginia

41 cities

PFAS Detected

17% of tested cities have PFAS in their water supply.

2 cities

Lead Exceedances

Lead levels above the EPA action level of 15 ppb (90th percentile).

220 cities

Health Violations

32,380 total violations recorded, 244 with unresolved issues.

57 cities

Failing Systems

Received a grade of F, indicating serious water quality issues.

Contaminant Data

Explore contaminants in West Virginia

Lead in West Virginia → Ranked by 90th percentile level (ppb) PFAS in West Virginia → Ranked by compounds detected Copper in West Virginia → Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)

More contaminants tested in West Virginia

HAA5 → Chromium-6 → Arsenic → Nitrate → Strontium → 1,4-Dioxane → Manganese → Vanadium → Chlorate → Molybdenum → Cobalt → Lithium → NDMA →

State context

11

Superfund sites in West Virginia

EPA National Priorities List

90.9%

of West Virginia residents on fluoridated water

CDC, 2020

1,639,345

lbs released to surface water

Top 10 TRI facilities, 2023

4.3%

of West Virginia domestic wells exceed EPA arsenic limit

USGS, 117 samples · 10 µg/L MCL

Domestic well chemistry

Private-well water in West Virginia

Based on USGS Powell Domestic-Well Database — 836 private wells sampled across West Virginia. These wells are not regulated by the EPA; if you draw your tap from a private well, the public-system grade above does not apply to you.

0.8 µg/L

Median arsenic in domestic wells

P90 6.0 µg/L · max 31.4 µg/L

94 µg/L

Median manganese in domestic wells

24.6% exceed 300 µg/L aesthetic limit

Industrial pollution

Top industrial water polluters in West Virginia

Industrial polluters nearby

The 10 facilities reporting the most pounds released to surface water in West Virginia, 2023.

Total reported releases to surface water: 1,639,345 lbs

Facility	Top chemical	To surface water (lbs/yr)
CHEMOURS WASHINGTON WORKS Chemicals · THE CHEMOURS CO WASHINGTON, WV26181	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	818,921
CHEMOURS BELLE PLANT Chemicals · THE CHEMOURS CO BELLE, WV25015	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	404,811
CYTEC INDUSTRIES INC Chemicals · SYENSQO HOLDING INC WILLOW ISLAND, WV26134	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	112,925
COVESTRO Chemicals · COVESTRO LLC PROCTOR, WV26055	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	93,270
ALTIVIA INSTITUTE FACILITIES Chemicals · ALTIVIA KETONES & ADDITIVES LLC DUNBAR, WV25064	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	70,292

+ 5 more facilities

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Test your own tap

Get your West Virginia water tested

City-level data shows the source and infrastructure picture — but lead and other home-plumbing issues only show up at your tap. Find a state-certified lab, see what to test for, and what it costs.

Grade Distribution

How West Virginia cities scored

A: 35 B: 61 C: 29 D: 63 F: 57

Best Cities

Worst Cities

City Map

Water quality across West Virginia

Each dot is a city, colored by its water quality grade. Size reflects population served. Click any city to view its full water report.

All Cities

245 cities in West Virginia

Full rankings →

#	City	Grade	Score	Population	Violations
1	Bluefield	A+	99	12K	0
2	Spencer	A	93.6	5K	28
3	Limestone	A	91.5	3K	15
4	Volga	A	90.9	3K	15
5	Kingwood	A	90.5	7K	20
6	Pleasant Valley	A	90.2	3K	15
7	Charleston	A	90.1	209K	4
8	Beckley	A-	90	47K	15
9	Hurricane	A	90	9K	6
10	French Creek	A	90	5K	13
11	Craigsville	A-	89.9	5K	26
12	Flatwoods	A-	89.8	4K	51
13	Huntington	A-	89.7	99K	4
14	Letart	A-	89.4	3K	23
15	Daniels	A-	88.7	2K	2
16	Alderson	A-	88.6	2K	19
17	Peterstown	A-	88.5	5K	12
18	Newell	A-	88.4	5K	58
19	Oak Hill	A-	88.2	26K	1
20	Sutton	A-	88.1	5K	55
21	Rupert	A-	87.9	1K	8
22	Hinton	A-	87.8	21K	1
23	Glen Dale	A-	87.6	2K	40
24	Maysville	A-	87.5	5K	12
25	New Manchester (Pughtown)	A-	86.9	2K	7
26	Summersville	A-	86.7	6K	24
27	Core	A-	86.7	4K	2
28	Beech Bottom	A-	86.6	610	13
29	Weston	A-	86.5	15K	2
30	Athens	A-	86.1	6K	13
31	Danese	A-	85.8	2K	14
32	Scott Depot (Rr Name Scott)	A-	85.7	24K	7
33	Junior	A-	85.2	987	22
34	Belington	A-	85.1	2K	5
35	Newburg	A-	85	1K	11
36	Chestnut Ridge	B+	84.8	3K	3
37	Ashton	B+	84.6	4K	25
38	Sherrard	B+	83.5	3K	20
39	Benwood	B+	83.1	2K	96
40	Rachel (Downs)	B+	83.1	1K	19
41	Amherstdale	B+	83	4K	17
42	Gassaway	B+	83	2K	3
43	Branchland	B+	82.9	3K	23
44	Birch River	B+	82.9	1K	23
45	Meadowville	B+	82.7	615	10
46	Reynoldsville	B+	82.5	3K	12
47	Star City	B+	82.5	2K	28
48	Grant Town	B+	82.5	506	34
49	Bethlehem	B+	82.4	3K	18
50	Hundred	B+	82.3	638	50
51	Gerrardstown	B+	82.1	1K	53
52	Norton	B+	82	2K	13
53	Reader	B+	82	1K	12
54	Bridgeport	B+	81.7	11K	12
55	Monongah	B+	81.6	3K	25
56	Jane Lew	B+	81.1	1K	72
57	Stonewood	B+	80.3	2K	38
58	Princeton	B	79.9	5K	53
59	Washington	B	79.1	10K	27
60	Walton	B	79	2K	27
61	Belmont	B	79	1K	25
62	Union	B	78.9	758	20
63	Lakin (Lakin State Hospital)	B	78.4	4K	42
64	Tunnelton	B	78.2	1K	27
65	Gallipolis Ferry (Rr Name Gall	B	78.1	1K	23
66	Crum	B	77.7	3K	21
67	Lavalette	B	77.4	10K	12
68	Clear Creek	B	77.1	1K	3
69	Hepzibah	B	76.5	2K	36
70	New Creek (Newcreek)	B	76.3	3K	23
71	Waverly	B	76.2	8K	34
72	Flemington	B	76.1	5K	30
73	Baker Heights	B	75.8	35K	39
74	Petersburg	B	75.8	9K	47
75	Triadelphia	B	75.6	5K	35
76	Coal City	B	75.2	3K	50
77	Brandywine	B	75.2	692	98
78	Upper Tract	B	75.2	633	92
79	West Liberty	B	75.1	10K	37
80	Masontown	B-	74.8	2K	47
81	Anmoore	B-	74.4	1K	96
82	Cool Ridge	B-	74.2	4K	15
83	Mount Nebo	B-	74	6K	40
84	Proctor	B-	73.5	2K	48
85	Slab Fork	B-	73.4	550	49
86	Ceredo	B-	73.3	1K	59
87	Pruntytown	B-	72.8	2K	29
88	Odd	B-	72.6	575	10
89	Wheeling	B-	72	30K	36
90	Talcott	B-	71.8	1K	22
91	Capon Bridge	B-	70.9	700	45
92	Beaver	B-	70.8	5K	13
93	Augusta	B-	70.7	2K	37
94	Burnsville	B-	70.7	1K	63
95	Nettie	B-	70.2	4K	63
96	Mcmechen	B-	70	2K	79
97	Mcgraws	C+	68.8	4K	33
98	Friendly	C+	68.2	4K	173
99	Elizabeth	C+	66.9	2K	55
100	Durbin Fr Bart	C+	66.1	504	83
101	Frank	C+	66.1	504	83
102	St. Marys	C+	65.8	3K	29
103	Hillsboro	C+	65.4	559	131
104	Kenova	C+	65.2	11K	81
105	Windsor Heights	C+	65.1	2K	83
106	Goshen	C	64.4	972	139
107	Cottageville	C	64.3	3K	38
108	Parsons	C	64.1	1K	125
109	Shepherdstown	C	63.8	4K	138
110	Parkersburg	C	63.2	34K	151
111	Adamsville	C	63.1	1K	68
112	Francis	C	63.1	1K	68
113	Chester	C	63	3K	103
114	Mannington	C	63	3K	87
115	Meadow Bridge	C	62.5	692	33
116	Mineralwells	C	62	6K	30
117	Coalwood	C	61.4	2K	85
118	Mount Hope	C	61.3	2K	26
119	Clover	C	61	976	60
120	Marlinton	C	60.5	2K	168
121	Vienna	C-	57.9	13K	180
122	Beverly	C-	57.7	2K	85
123	Buckhannon	C-	57.5	14K	128
124	Arnett	C-	57.1	7K	22
125	Williamstown	C-	56.6	3K	60
126	Mt Storm	D+	54.9	2K	88
127	Follansbee	D+	54.7	8K	96
128	Wallace	D+	54.1	3K	46
129	Ronceverte	D+	54	2K	25
130	Maybeury	D+	53.1	2K	87
131	Burlington	D+	52.8	793	203
132	Snowshoe Resort	D+	51.8	2K	63
133	Mason (Rr Name Mason City)	D+	51.6	2K	153
134	Reedsville	D+	51	3K	160
135	Pennsboro	D+	51	1K	72
136	Crichton	D+	50.7	1K	75
137	Keyser	D+	50	6K	244
138	Cowen	D+	50	3K	170
139	Griffithsville	D	49.8	2K	57
140	West Hamlin	D	49.2	2K	232
141	Gauley Bridge	D	49	3K	224
142	Procious (Camp)	D	49	2K	317
143	Pineville	D	49	2K	274
144	Harpers Ferry	D	49	2K	380
145	Clay	D	49	2K	164
146	Gilbert	D	49	2K	256
147	Lumberport	D	49	2K	302
148	Middlebourne	D	49	1K	105
149	Cass	D	49	555	355
150	Justice	D	48.8	504	94
151	Bluewell	D	48.5	6K	182
152	Green Spring	D	48.5	1K	589
153	Henlawson	D	48	17K	128
154	Short Gap	D	48	7K	956
155	Frametown	D	48	2K	488
156	Addition	D	48	1K	201
157	Williamson	D	47.8	3K	148
158	Fort Ashby	D	47	7K	956
159	Belva	D	47	4K	35
160	Sistersville	D	47	2K	237
161	New Haven	D	47	2K	148
162	Normantown	D	47	523	86
163	Elkins	D	46	11K	115
164	Oceana	D	46	4K	196
165	Harrisville	D	46	2K	66
166	Matewan	D	46	2K	58
167	Hambleton	D	46	2K	69
168	Hendricks	D	46	2K	69
169	St. George	D	46	2K	69
170	Glenville	D	46	2K	204
171	Grantsville	D	46	2K	318
172	Fort Gay (Cassville)	D	46	2K	138
173	Kermit	D	46	1K	198
174	Rowlesburg	D	46	680	163
175	Pine Grove	D	46	620	201
176	Valley Grove	D	46	610	94
177	Paw Paw	D	46	524	179
178	Bartley	D	45.5	2K	263
179	English	D	45.5	2K	263
180	Berwind	D	45.5	692	316
181	Canaan Valley	D	45.5	577	147
182	Maidsville	D	45.4	2K	62
183	White Sulphur Springs	D	45.2	7K	129
184	Moorefield	D	45	3K	290
185	Franklin	D	45	1K	329
186	New Cumberland	D	45	1K	164
187	War	D	45	1K	330
188	Thomas	D	45	753	262
189	Clarksburg	F	44.9	19K	118
190	Wiley Ford	F	44.8	7K	1283
191	Mullens	F	44.2	4K	296
192	Worthington	F	44.2	598	158
193	Logan	F	44	25K	567
194	Shinnston	F	44	6K	189
195	Nutter Fort	F	44	2K	85
196	Romney	F	44	2K	137
197	Salem	F	44	2K	155
198	Chapmanville	F	44	2K	97
199	Farmington	F	44	768	133
200	Fenwick	F	44	554	79
201	Rivesville	F	44	543	208
202	Camden-On-Gauley (Corp/Rr Name	F	44	502	369
203	Wayne	F	43.8	6K	31
204	Terra Alta	F	43.5	3K	85
205	Boothsville	F	43.5	2K	70
206	Greenville	F	43.2	4K	152
207	Welch	F	43	3K	165
208	Ridgeley (Rr Name Ridgely)	F	43	2K	235
209	Gary	F	43	2K	199
210	Hartford City (Corporate Name	F	43	745	160
211	Ragland	F	43	621	87
212	Arthurdale	F	43	555	229
213	St. Albans	F	42.8	14K	100
214	Fairview	F	42.8	958	86
215	Lewisburg	F	42.4	12K	168
216	Ripley	F	42.2	5K	221
217	Naugatuck	F	42.2	2K	601
218	West Milford	F	42	7K	129
219	Mill Creek	F	42	5K	379
220	Berkeley Springs	F	42	4K	709
221	West Union	F	42	2K	134
222	Piedmont	F	42	847	409
223	Pax	F	42	762	119
224	Grafton	F	41.8	9K	86
225	Wardensville	F	41.5	788	87
226	Alum Creek	F	41.2	4K	317
227	Charles Town	F	41	15K	1226
228	Wellsburg	F	41	7K	72
229	Philippi	F	41	6K	108
230	Paden City	F	41	3K	284
231	Rainelle	F	41	2K	82
232	Martinsburg	F	40.2	54K	385
233	Five Forks	F	40	2K	134
234	Cameron	F	40	962	128
235	Moundsville	F	39.5	12K	217
236	Morgantown	F	39.4	69K	1062
237	Point Pleasant	F	39	3K	347
238	Weirton	F	37.9	19K	141
239	Ravenswood	F	37.5	5K	147
240	New Martinsville	F	36.5	5K	112
241	Varney	F	36	3K	76
242	Fairmont	F	35.1	40K	241
243	Davis	F	35	977	213
244	Lester	F	34	665	112
245	Richwood	F	32	2K	107

Counties

Browse West Virginia counties

Barbour 6 cities · avg 78.3 Berkeley 3 cities · avg 66 Braxton 5 cities · avg 75.9 Brooke 5 cities · avg 57.1 Cabell 1 city · avg 89.7 Calhoun 2 cities · avg 43 Clay 2 cities · avg 49 Doddridge 1 city · avg 42 Elkhart 1 city · avg 64.4 Fayette 7 cities · avg 62.3 Gilmer 2 cities · avg 46.5 Grant 3 cities · avg 72.7 Greenbrier 7 cities · avg 58.5 Hampshire 4 cities · avg 58.5 Hancock 4 cities · avg 70.8 Hardy 2 cities · avg 43.3 Harrison 14 cities · avg 60.3 Jackson 3 cities · avg 48 Jefferson 3 cities · avg 51.3 Kanawha 2 cities · avg 66.4 Lewis 2 cities · avg 83.8 Lincoln 4 cities · avg 55.8 Logan 5 cities · avg 52.4 Marion 11 cities · avg 55.4 Marshall 8 cities · avg 73.2 Mason 8 cities · avg 63.9 Mcdowell 8 cities · avg 47.8 Mercer 4 cities · avg 78.4 Mineral 9 cities · avg 50.2 Mingo 8 cities · avg 44.9 Monongalia 4 cities · avg 63.5 Monroe 2 cities · avg 83.7 Morgan 1 city · avg 42 Nicholas 7 cities · avg 68.5 Ohio 5 cities · avg 70.2 Pendleton 3 cities · avg 65.1 Pleasants 2 cities · avg 72.4 Pocahontas 6 cities · avg 59.8 Preston 8 cities · avg 64 Putnam 2 cities · avg 87.8 Raleigh 10 cities · avg 71.3 Randolph 4 cities · avg 56.9 Ritchie 2 cities · avg 48.5 Roane 3 cities · avg 77.9 Summers 2 cities · avg 79.8 Taylor 3 cities · avg 63.6 Tucker 7 cities · avg 46.8 Tyler 3 cities · avg 54.7 Upshur 2 cities · avg 73.8 Wayne 6 cities · avg 63.9 Webster 2 cities · avg 47 Wetzel 6 cities · avg 60.2 Wirt 1 city · avg 66.9 Wood 6 cities · avg 65.8 Wyoming 4 cities · avg 52

ZIP Codes

Browse West Virginia by ZIP code

Look up water quality by ZIP code to find the systems serving your area.

View all West Virginia ZIP codes →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about West Virginia's water

Is West Virginia's tap water safe to drink?

West Virginia's water quality varies by city. The statewide average grade is C (61.5/100). 39% of cities scored an A or B, while 49% received a D or F. Check your specific city for detailed results.

Which West Virginia cities have the best water quality?

The top-rated cities are Bluefield (A+), Spencer (A), Limestone (A). These cities scored highest based on violation history, lead levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Which West Virginia cities have the worst water quality?

The lowest-rated cities are Richwood (F), Lester (F), Davis (F). We recommend residents in these areas consider water filtration and review their city's specific contaminant data.

How many West Virginia cities have PFAS in their water?

41 out of 245 cities tested positive for PFAS "forever chemicals" (17%). 17 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can help reduce PFAS exposure.

Do any West Virginia cities have dangerous lead levels?

2 cities exceed the EPA lead action level of 15 ppb. Lead contamination typically comes from aging pipes and lead service lines rather than the water source itself. An NSF 53-certified filter can effectively remove lead from tap water.

West Virginia Water Quality Report