Montgomery, WV Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Although much of Montgomery meets baseline drinking water standards, some WV-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look — particularly for older housing stock.
How Montgomery Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Montgomery Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 82% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.36 — above typical levels.
Montgomery's Water Providers
Water supply in Montgomery, WV follows a divided structure: 2 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 2 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Montgomery, West Virginia (population ~1,749), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 28,150 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Montgomery — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Montgomery: 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
Montgomery water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Montgomery
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25136 | C | WVAWC NEW RIVER REGIONAL WTR TRTMT PLT | 25,603 |
All ZIP Codes in Montgomery
- 25136 [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.
Montgomery 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
Montgomery Infrastructure Age
With 82% 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 lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Montgomery, where the median build year is 1978, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Montgomery 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Montgomery
For most Montgomery homeowners, estimated remediation represents a moderate equity share — manageable with planning.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Montgomery. The estimated $800–$2,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 17% below the West Virginia average.
Montgomery: 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.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Montgomery. 82% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Montgomery: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Taken together, Montgomery's 8 NFIP flood insurance claims and 100% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Montgomery has a moderate flood history with 8 FEMA claims averaging $2,419 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 Montgomery
- 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 82% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Montgomery, WV