Macfarlan, WV Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring across Macfarlan paints a mid-range picture within WV — solid compliance in some service zones, documented concerns in others. Most violations on record are concentrated in specific areas, and the overall grade has held in the middle tier without major shifts in recent monitoring cycles.
How Macfarlan Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Macfarlan Water
- Homes built before 1986: 98% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 18.16 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Macfarlan
A single utility carries the primary residential water load in Macfarlan, WV — the dominant provider across 1 federally tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Macfarlan, West Virginia (population ~233), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,868 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Macfarlan — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Macfarlan: C (63/100)
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
Macfarlan water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Macfarlan
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26148 | C | PLEASANT HILL P S D RT 16 DISTRICT | 1,868 |
All ZIP Codes in Macfarlan
- 26148 [C]
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 Macfarlan
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 Macfarlan
With 98% 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
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1966 places Macfarlan's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era — and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in Macfarlan 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 Macfarlan Homeowners
Within the Macfarlan market, documented remediation claims a significant slice of typical equity — the financial weight here is material.
At 2.1% of home value, remediation costs in Macfarlan 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 43% below the West Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Macfarlan
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.
Wherever 98% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Macfarlan — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Macfarlan
Flood insurance activity in Macfarlan is light. NFIP data for the program's multi-decade tracking window places local flood history in low-exposure territory. For water quality, that matters: flooding can backflow into distribution systems and compromise private wells, but those risks scale with event frequency and severity, both of which remain limited here.
Macfarlan has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Macfarlan
- 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 98% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Macfarlan, WV