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: consider a certified water filter (27 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Based on current EPA data, Fairmont, WV reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Fairmont Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Fairmont Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 306 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0133 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.57 - above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Fairmont
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Fairmont, WV's residential water connections out of 5 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
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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 lead level (90th percentile): 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
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 166 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 122 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 68 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 66 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other | 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). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
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
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Fairmont is moderate - worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Fairmont. The estimated $1,150–$3,550 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. 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 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 Fairmont 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.
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 <strong>$2,200</strong> 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. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Fairmont's water.
- 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