Water Quality in Charles Town, WV: 115 Violations — Grade D
Grade D · Score 40/100 · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Charles Town's water has significant violations. Water testing and filtration are recommended.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
The compliance history for Charles Town, WV includes 115 water violations on file with the EPA — a federal tally that spans health-based exceedances, monitoring failures, and enforcement actions logged under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Charles Town
Water quality varies across Charles Town's 1 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25414 | D | 40 | 115 | 12 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Charles Town.
Water Quality Overview
Charles Town, West Virginia receives a water quality grade of D with an overall score of 40 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 5 water systems serving Charles Town have accumulated 115 EPA violations, including 12 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 1 ZIP codes serving approximately 22,923 people.
What Grade D Means
A grade of D indicates significant compliance issues. Charles Town's water systems have accumulated violations that suggest ongoing water quality challenges. Residents should check their specific ZIP code report and consider water testing or filtration.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Charles Town water systems is 0.0006 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
Radon Risk
Charles Town is in EPA Radon Zone 1 (High risk). The EPA recommends all homes in Zone 1 areas be tested for radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
Water Systems Serving Charles Town
Charles Town is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 22,923 people across 1 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Charles Town. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Charles Town
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test — certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories — monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Charles Town Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Charles Town's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 25 | 1 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 18 | 1 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 10 | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 8 | 1 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 6 | 1 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | N/A | 5 | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 5 | 1 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 2 | 1 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 mg/L | 2 | 1 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Chlorodibromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
| Copper | Inorganic | 1.3 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 4 mg/L | 1 | 1 | Yes |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Charles Town:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
Violation counts have remained stable over the observed period.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 8 enforcement actions against water systems serving Charles Town. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-09-11 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-09-11 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-08-14 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-08-11 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-07-09 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-03-07 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-03-03 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-02-25 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-09-11.
Charles Town vs. Nearby West Virginia Cities
How Charles Town's water quality compares to similar cities in West Virginia:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Town | D | 115 | 5 | 22,923 |
| Clarksburg | B | 100 | 5 | 22,111 |
| Tornado | C | 3 | 1 | 24,020 |
| Weirton | D | 29 | 3 | 20,798 |
Common Questions About Charles Town Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Charles Town, West Virginia:
Is Charles Town water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Charles Town's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Charles Town tap water? Charles Town's water receives a grade of D (40/100). There are 12 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Charles Town? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Charles Town vs. West Virginia Average
Understanding how Charles Town compares to the broader West Virginia average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below — water quality can vary significantly even within Charles Town.
ZIP Codes in Charles Town
Charles Town spans 1 ZIP code. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 25414. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Updated daily.