Brandywine, WV: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water compliance in Brandywine, WV ranks below average — documented gaps in multiple service areas.
How Brandywine Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Brandywine Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 60% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.37 — above typical levels.
Brandywine's Water Providers
Across most of Brandywine, WV, residential water comes from a single utility. That provider sets rates, manages infrastructure maintenance, and files compliance reports with the EPA on behalf of the households it serves. Federal tracking data shows 1 system on record, but one carries the bulk of the service load.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Brandywine, West Virginia (population ~809), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,402 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Brandywine — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Brandywine: 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
Brandywine water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Brandywine
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26802 | D | FRANKLIN MUNICIPALITY OF | 1,402 |
All ZIP Codes in Brandywine
- 26802 [D]
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.
Brandywine Community Health Snapshot
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
Brandywine Infrastructure Age
With 60% 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
What does a median build year of 1988 mean for water safety in Brandywine? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Brandywine 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Brandywine
Is remediation financially manageable for Brandywine homeowners? At a moderate equity share, generally yes — with deliberate budgeting ahead of time.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Brandywine. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 28% above the West Virginia average.
Brandywine: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
If 60% of the Brandywine inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Brandywine: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
FEMA data shows 100% of Brandywine's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 3 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Brandywine has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $4,475 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>$2,400</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 Brandywine
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 60% 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 Brandywine, WV