Big Creek, WV Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Big Creek, WV: reliable drinking water, above-average safety record, few violations.
How Big Creek Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Big Creek Water
- Homes built before 1986: 40% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 18.42 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Big Creek
At present, 2 utilities serve the bulk of Big Creek, WV's residential water connections out of 2 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Big Creek, West Virginia (population ~401), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 18,510 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Big Creek — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Big Creek: B (73/100)
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
Big Creek water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Big Creek
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25505 | B | CHAPMANVILLE, TOWN OF | 1,589 |
All ZIP Codes in Big Creek
- 25505 [B]
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.
Health Outcomes in Big 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
Housing & Infrastructure in Big Creek
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The story of Big Creek's housing stock is one of layered development — neighborhoods built in different decades, each carrying the plumbing standards of their era. The median build year of 1995 reflects that layered character. Before 1986, lead solder was standard in copper plumbing; before 1970, lead pipes were commonly used for service lines. A substantial portion of the pre-1986 homes visible in the distribution above still carry the plumbing materials of those earlier standards — creating a risk environment that the city-wide aggregate water data doesn't fully capture.
A significant portion of Big Creek's housing stock predates 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used. Residents in older homes should consider water testing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Big Creek Homeowners
At current valuations, Big Creek sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Big Creek are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 13% above the West Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Big 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.
Older stock in Big Creek represents 40% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Big Creek
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Big Creek, that record documents 6 claims and 100% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Big Creek has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $2,053 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>$1,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Big Creek, WV