Gary, WV: 1 Health Violation — 86/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Although water quality varies across any metro, Gary's systems collectively post above-average compliance scores for WV — and documented violations are few.
How Gary Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Gary Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 28 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0038 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 93% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 20.24 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Gary
Residential addresses in Gary, WV are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Gary, West Virginia (population ~662), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 4,540 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gary: A (86/100)
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
Gary water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0038 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)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 12 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24836 | A | 28 | 1 | City of Gary |
All ZIP Codes in Gary
- 24836 [A] — 28 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.
Health Outcomes in Gary
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 Gary Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Gary
With 93% 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
Reading the housing age data for Gary — median build year 1946 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Gary 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Gary Homeowners
Framing remediation within the Gary property picture, the equity share is elevated — homeowners here are navigating a financial decision that rewards structured thinking about scope and prioritization, where the cost-to-value ratio is high enough to make the difference between a planned approach and an unplanned one financially significant.
At 2.5% of home value, remediation costs in Gary represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $950–$2,400. Home values here are 56% below the West Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Gary
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Gary — 93% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Gary
FEMA data shows 100% of Gary's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 20 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Gary has a moderate flood history with 20 FEMA claims averaging $4,165 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>$1,500</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 Gary, WV