Gauley Bridge, WV: 4 Health Violations — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water in Gauley Bridge, WV scores well — low violation counts, above-average safety grade.
How Gauley Bridge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Gauley Bridge Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 37 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0009 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 86% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.36 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Gauley Bridge
3 independent water providers serve Gauley Bridge, WV — 3 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia (population ~620), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 237,433 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gauley Bridge: B (70/100)
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
Gauley Bridge water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0009 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 16 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25085 | B | 37 | 4 | Kanawha Falls Public Service District |
All ZIP Codes in Gauley Bridge
- 25085 [B] — 37 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.
CDC Health Data for Gauley Bridge
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Gauley Bridge
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Gauley Bridge's Housing Stock?
With 86% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Gauley Bridge's median build year of 1954 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Gauley Bridge 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.
Gauley Bridge: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Across the Gauley Bridge housing market, the estimated remediation share sits at an elevated level — the cost-to-value ratio here is high enough that addressing documented water and safety issues becomes a material equity decision rather than routine maintenance, and most homeowners benefit from treating it as a structured financial planning exercise.
At 2.3% of home value, remediation costs in Gauley Bridge represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,100–$4,100. Home values here are 28% below the West Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Gauley Bridge
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.
Older stock in Gauley Bridge represents 86% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Gauley Bridge
Flood risk in Gauley Bridge occupies the middle ground: 10 NFIP claims and 100% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Gauley Bridge has a moderate flood history with 10 FEMA claims averaging $9,091 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>$2,200</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 Gauley Bridge, WV