Charlton Heights, WV Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Across water systems in Charlton Heights, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for WV.
How Charlton Heights Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Charlton Heights Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 100% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.36 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Charlton Heights
In Charlton Heights, WV, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 2 leading providers out of 2 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Charlton Heights, West Virginia (population ~583), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 211,830 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Charlton Heights — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Charlton Heights: C (63/100)
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
Charlton Heights water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Charlton Heights
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25040 | C | KANAWHA FALLS PSD | 2,547 |
All ZIP Codes in Charlton Heights
- 25040 [C]
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.
CDC Health Data for Charlton Heights
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
How Old Is Charlton Heights's Housing Stock?
With 100% 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
Charlton Heights's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1947 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Charlton Heights 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.
Charlton Heights: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Homeowners in Charlton Heights are working with a moderate equity share for documented remediation — the commitment deserves a line in the household budget, not dismissal.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Charlton Heights. The estimated $800–$2,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 26% below the West Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Charlton Heights
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 100% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Charlton Heights.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Charlton Heights
FEMA data shows 100% of Charlton Heights's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 2 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Charlton Heights has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $7,744 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>$1,600</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 Charlton Heights
- 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 100% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Charlton Heights, WV