Glenwood, WV Water Safety: 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
State safety rankings put Glenwood, WV near the lower tier — below-average compliance on record.
How Glenwood Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Glenwood Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 57% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.42 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Glenwood
In Glenwood, WV, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 2 leading providers out of 2 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Glenwood, West Virginia (population ~1,164), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 102,415 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Glenwood — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Glenwood: D (50/100)
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
Glenwood water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Glenwood
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25520 | D | Wvawc - Huntington District | 98,647 |
All ZIP Codes in Glenwood
- 25520 [D]
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 Glenwood
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
How Old Is Glenwood's Housing Stock?
With 57% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Glenwood is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1987 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Glenwood 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.
Glenwood: Remediation Cost in Perspective
At current valuations, Glenwood falls in the moderate remediation-share tier — a level where treating this as a budgeted line item rather than an ad-hoc expense is the practical approach.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Glenwood. The estimated $800–$2,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 36% below the West Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Glenwood
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 57% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Glenwood.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Glenwood
FEMA data shows 100% of Glenwood's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 54 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Glenwood has a moderate flood history with 54 FEMA claims averaging $13,253 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 Glenwood
- 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.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 57% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Glenwood, WV