Kerens, WV Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
If you're researching Kerens, WV tap water quality, the baseline finding is below average — health-based violations are documented in several service areas, and verifying the specific system at your address is the right next step.
How Kerens Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Kerens Water
- Homes built before 1986: 72% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.01 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Kerens
3 independent water providers serve Kerens, WV — 4 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Kerens, West Virginia (population ~821), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 14,132 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Kerens — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Kerens: D (53/100)
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
Kerens water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Kerens
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26276 | D | City of Elkins | 9,350 |
All ZIP Codes in Kerens
- 26276 [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.
Health Outcomes in Kerens
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Kerens
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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Kerens's median build year of 1944 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 Kerens 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 Kerens Homeowners
Because property values in Kerens comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Kerens are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 15% above the West Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Kerens
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 72% pre-rule share in Kerens keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Kerens
- 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 72% 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 Kerens, WV