Alum Creek, WV: 9 Health Violations — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
If you're researching Alum Creek, WV tap water quality, the baseline finding is below average — health-based violations are documented in several service areas, and verifying the specific system at your address is the right next step.
How Alum Creek Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Alum Creek Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 66 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0008 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 66% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 18.55 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Alum Creek
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Alum Creek, WV — out of 4 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Alum Creek, West Virginia (population ~1,734), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 215,725 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 9 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Alum Creek: D (53/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Alum Creek water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0008 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 32 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 20 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 16 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25003 | D | 66 | 9 | Lincoln Public Service District |
All ZIP Codes in Alum Creek
- 25003 [D] — 66 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Alum Creek
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Alum Creek
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Alum Creek's Housing Stock?
With 66% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1976 places Alum Creek's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era — and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in Alum Creek were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Alum Creek: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Cost-to-value data for Alum Creek produces a high remediation-share classification — the equity impact here is elevated, placing this market in the tier where financial preparation is a meaningful factor in how homeowners approach documented issues.
At 2.1% of home value, remediation costs in Alum Creek represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,100–$4,100. Home values here are 20% below the West Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Alum Creek
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Wherever 66% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Alum Creek — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Alum Creek
A moderate NFIP record for Alum Creek — 24 insurance claims paired with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones — points to a flood history where water-quality pathways have likely been periodically relevant.
Alum Creek has a moderate flood history with 24 FEMA claims averaging $11,794 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,200</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Alum Creek
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Alum Creek's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 66% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Alum Creek, WV