Martinsburg, WV: 6 Health Violations — 63/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water data for Martinsburg, WV reveals a split picture — tap water quality varies meaningfully by service area and the city's grade reflects that variability.
How Martinsburg Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Martinsburg, WV
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Martinsburg's 6 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Martinsburg Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 342 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0033 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 41% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,950 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.43 — above typical levels.
Martinsburg's Water Providers
Across Martinsburg, WV, residential water comes from 3 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 5 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Martinsburg, West Virginia, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 69,328 people.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Martinsburg: 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
Martinsburg water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0033 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 6 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 77 | 6 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 77 | 6 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 56 | 6 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 35 | 6 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 35 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25401 | C | 57 | 1 | Berkeley County Pswd-potomac River |
| 25402 | C | 57 | 1 | Berkeley County Pswd-potomac River |
| 25403 | C | 57 | 1 | Berkeley County Pswd-potomac River |
| 25404 | C | 57 | 1 | Berkeley County Pswd-potomac River |
| 25405 | C | 57 | 1 | Berkeley County Pswd-potomac River |
| 25429 | C | 57 | 1 | Berkeley County Pswd-potomac River |
All ZIP Codes in Martinsburg
- 25401 [C] — 57 violations ⚠
- 25402 [C] — 57 violations ⚠
- 25403 [C] — 57 violations ⚠
- 25404 [C] — 57 violations ⚠
- 25405 [C] — 57 violations ⚠
- 25429 [C] — 57 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.
Martinsburg Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Martinsburg's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Martinsburg Infrastructure Age
With 41% 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 a standard plumbing material before 1986, when federal law prohibited its use in new residential construction. In Martinsburg, the median build year of 1991 indicates that plumbing age is a material factor in local lead risk — with the pre-1986 share concentrated in specific neighborhoods and building types where older construction remains common.
Most homes in Martinsburg were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Martinsburg
Remediation costs in Martinsburg represent a moderate share of typical home values — worth budgeting for carefully, though within reach for most homeowners who plan ahead.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Martinsburg. The estimated $1,900–$4,233 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 91% above the West Virginia average.
Martinsburg: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Martinsburg have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 41% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Martinsburg: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
146 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Martinsburg, and 50% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Martinsburg has a moderate flood history with 146 FEMA claims averaging $12,002 per payout. 50% 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>$2,950</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 Martinsburg
- 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. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Martinsburg's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 41% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Martinsburg, WV