Fairmont, WV: 27 Health Violations - Home Safety 67/100
2 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Fairmont: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (27 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →
Documented records place Fairmont, WV in the middle grade tier.
How Fairmont Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Fairmont Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 306 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0133 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 15.57.
Who Supplies Your Water in Fairmont
3 systems shown for Fairmont, WV, from 5 on the federal list.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Fairmont, West Virginia, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 42,116 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 2 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 27 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fairmont: C (67/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Fairmont water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0133 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
2 of 2 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 2.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 166 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 122 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 68 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 66 | 1 |
| Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 46 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26554 | C | 306 | 27 | City of Fairmont |
All ZIP Codes in Fairmont
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Fairmont
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Fairmont Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Fairmont Homeowners
Here the gap between local home values and the estimated repair bill is wide, so the percentage shown below for Fairmont stays at or under the 1% mark.
Estimated remediation costs in Fairmont can be compared with local home values. The $300–$1,500 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 36% above the West Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Fairmont
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Fairmont
Historical NFIP data for Fairmont contains 180 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $24,160. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $600 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Fairmont
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Consider testing your home's tap water for lead, since household plumbing can affect its level.
- Install a certified water filter. For Public Notice Rule, listed in the water-quality records for Fairmont: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Fairmont, WV