CITY REPORT WV

Genoa, WV Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Within Genoa, water safety data for WV reveals moderate quality — federal standards are generally met, but documented exceptions exist in specific service areas.

How Genoa Compares

Genoa55/100
West Virginia avg64/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
3
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
C · 55
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)
$54K
Median Home Value
$1,600
Est. Remediation (3.0% of home value)

What You Should Know About Genoa Water

  • Homes built before 1986: 72% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 17.43 — above typical levels.

Who Supplies Your Water in Genoa

Federal records list 3 water systems tied to Genoa, WV. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.

Lavalette Public Service District
Serves ~7,293 people
55
/100
WAYNE WATER TOWN OF
Serves ~5,519 people
55
/100
Fort Gay Water Works
Serves ~1,685 people
55
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Genoa, West Virginia (population ~1,328), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 14,497 people region-wide.

No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Genoa — an excellent indicator of water quality.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Genoa: C (55/100)

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

Genoa water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Lead data: not yet available for Genoa
  • 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
25517 C Lavalette Public Service District 7,293

All ZIP Codes in Genoa

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Health Outcomes in Genoa

12.5%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
16.9%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
21.8%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 12.5% ↑
Diabetes 16.9% ↑
Mental Health 21.8% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Housing & Infrastructure in Genoa

1975
Median Build Year
72%
Built Before 1986
24%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 72% 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

Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Genoa — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1975 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.

1975
Median Year Built
72%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
24%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (24%) 1970–1986 (48%) Post-1986 (28%)

Over half of homes in Genoa 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 Genoa Homeowners

Throughout Genoa, fixing documented water and safety issues carries an equity weight that moves remediation out of routine planning territory and into structured financial decision-making.

Median Home Value
$53,500
Est. Remediation
$1,600
Remediation as % of home value 3.0%

At 3.0% of home value, remediation costs in Genoa represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $800–$2,600. Home values here are 60% below the West Virginia average.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Genoa

72%
Homes Built Before 1986

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 interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 72% of Genoa homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Flood & Climate Risk in Genoa

100% of ZIP codes in Genoa are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 22 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.

22
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$8,919
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones
~1
Est. Claims/Year

Genoa has a moderate flood history with 22 FEMA claims averaging $8,919 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 Genoa

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 72% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Genoa, WV?
Genoa has an average water safety score of 55/100 (Grade C). No EPA violations on record. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How does Genoa compare to West Virginia average?
Genoa has an average water safety score of 55/100, which is below the West Virginia state average of 64/100.
How many water systems serve Genoa?
Genoa is served by 3 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 1,328 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Genoa?
Estimated remediation costs in Genoa average $1,600 per household, ranging from $800 to $2,600. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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