CITY REPORT WV

Athens, WV: 3 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable

1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated

Data: EPA SDWIS

1
ZIP Codes
2
Water Systems
1
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
Zone 1
County Radon Potential (High)
$178K
Median Home Value

Key Facts for Athens Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations since 2021.
  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0043 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 59% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 17.11.

Athens's Water Providers

When a city is linked to 2 water systems, as Athens, WV is in federal records, water in one neighborhood may come from a different system than in another. The 2 systems with the largest reported populations are shown below, and their compliance records are kept separately, so a violation logged for one does not describe the others.

Overview

We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Athens, West Virginia (population ~2,554), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 26,195 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.

1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.

Water Sources

Athens water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0043 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 1.

The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Nitrate Inorganic 2 1
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 2 1
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
24712 — 3 0 Wvawc Bluestone Plant

All ZIP Codes in Athens

  • 24712 - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems

Data Sources

Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.

Athens Community Health Snapshot

12.7%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
17.2%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
21.3%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 12.7% ↑
Diabetes 17.2% ↑
Mental Health 21.3% ↑

Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national

What's in Athens's Water?

Nitrate 2 violations
Inorganic · EPA regulatory level for the contaminant named above: 10 mg/L
Blue baby syndrome in infants
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 2 violations
Disinfection Byproducts · EPA regulatory level for the contaminant named above: 0.06 mg/L
Increased cancer risk with long-term exposure above the MCL
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 2 violations
Disinfection Byproducts · EPA regulatory level for the contaminant named above: 0.08 mg/L
Increased cancer risk with long-term exposure above the MCL

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

Athens Infrastructure Age

1971
Median Build Year
59%
Built Before 1986
38%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 59% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

Ask the water utility whether your address in Athens has a lead service line; its inventory can answer what a median build year of 1971 cannot.

1971
Median Year Built
59%
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
38%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (38%) 1970–1986 (21%) Post-1986 (41%)

Over half of homes in Athens were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Athens: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

59%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0043
mg/L average of reported water-system 90th-percentile lead results (the 0.015 action level applies to each system's result, not to this average)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Athens: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

1
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$183
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data

Historical NFIP data for Athens contains 1 flood insurance claim. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $183.

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.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many violations are on record for water systems serving Athens?
EPA records list 3 EPA violations for Athens water systems. These water-system violations are shown for 1 mapped ZIP code.
Does Athens water have lead?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Athens is 0.0043 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average. EPA's health goal for lead is zero. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Athens?
Our records map 2 water systems to 1 ZIP code in Athens. The related population figure in our data is approximately 2,554 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
Home → Cities → West Virginia → Athens, WV

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Athens, WV: 3 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/wv/athens/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-wv-athens,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Athens, WV: 3 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/wv/athens/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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