Charleston, WV: 47 Health Violations — 94/100 (2026)
47 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Charleston tap water earns a high safety grade — above-average compliance with WV and federal standards.
How Charleston Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Charleston, WV
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Charleston's 47 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Charleston Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 2444 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,166 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.28 — above typical levels.
Charleston's Water Providers
5 water systems are tracked federally in Charleston, WV. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 47 ZIP codes in Charleston, West Virginia (population ~109,696), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 366,269 people region-wide.
47 of 47 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 47 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Charleston: A (94/100)
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
Charleston water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 47 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 528 | 47 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 192 | 47 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 192 | 47 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 192 | 47 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 192 | 47 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25301 | A | 52 | 1 | Wvawc-kanawha Valley District |
| 25302 | B | 52 | 1 | Wvawc-kanawha Valley District |
| 25303 | A | 52 | 1 | Wvawc-kanawha Valley District |
| 25304 | A | 52 | 1 | Wvawc-kanawha Valley District |
| 25305 | A | 52 | 1 | Wvawc-kanawha Valley District |
| 25306 | B | 52 | 1 | Wvawc-kanawha Valley District |
| 25309 | B | 52 | 1 | Wvawc-kanawha Valley District |
| 25311 | B | 52 | 1 | Wvawc-kanawha Valley District |
| 25312 | B | 52 | 1 | Wvawc-kanawha Valley District |
| 25313 | B | 52 | 1 | Wvawc-kanawha Valley District |
All ZIP Codes in Charleston
- 25301 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25302 [B] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25303 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25304 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25305 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25306 [B] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25309 [B] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25311 [B] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25312 [B] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25313 [B] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25314 [B] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25315 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25317 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25320 [B] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25321 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25322 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25323 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25324 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25325 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25326 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25327 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25328 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25329 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25330 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25331 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25332 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25333 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25334 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25335 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25336 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25337 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25338 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25339 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25350 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25356 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25357 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25358 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25360 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25361 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25362 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25364 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25365 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25375 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25387 [B] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25389 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25392 [A] — 52 violations ⚠
- 25396 [A] — 52 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.
Charleston 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
What's in Charleston's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Charleston
For most Charleston homeowners, estimated remediation represents a moderate equity share — manageable with planning.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Charleston. The estimated $1,397–$3,087 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 11% above the West Virginia average.
Charleston: 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.
Lead risk in Charleston appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Charleston: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Decades of documented flood activity appear in Charleston's NFIP record — 1325 insurance claims filed and 45% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood designations. The scale of that record puts water infrastructure vulnerability from flooding into the concrete-risk category.
Charleston has a significant flood history with 1,325 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $14,102 per claim. With 45% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,166</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 Charleston, WV