Middlebourne, WV: 5 Health Violations — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike many cities its size in WV, Middlebourne keeps health-based violation rates low — systems here score at or above the state average for tap water safety, with no systemic concerns flagged in the current data set.
How Middlebourne Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Middlebourne Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 15 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 78% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.56 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Middlebourne
Throughout Middlebourne, WV, water comes from one of 2 primary utilities out of 2 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Middlebourne, West Virginia (population ~2,330), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 4,462 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 5 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Middlebourne: B (70/100)
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
Middlebourne water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0005 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 14 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1052 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26149 | B | 15 | 5 | Middlebourne Water Works |
All ZIP Codes in Middlebourne
- 26149 [B] — 15 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.
CDC Health Data for Middlebourne
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Middlebourne
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Middlebourne's Housing Stock?
With 78% 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
The median home in Middlebourne was built in 1976 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Middlebourne 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.
Middlebourne: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Middlebourne is moderate — worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Middlebourne. The estimated $1,100–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 7% below the West Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Middlebourne
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.
78% — that captures the slice of Middlebourne housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Middlebourne
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Middlebourne shows 21 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Middlebourne has a moderate flood history with 21 FEMA claims averaging $5,889 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>$2,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Middlebourne, WV