Morgantown, WV: 7 Health Violations — 65/100 (2026)
7 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Although much of Morgantown meets baseline drinking water standards, some WV-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look — particularly for older housing stock.
How Morgantown Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Morgantown, WV
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Morgantown.
Morgantown Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 56 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0004 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,786 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.05 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Morgantown
Morgantown, WV is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 8 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 7 ZIP codes in Morgantown, West Virginia, covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 98,161 people.
7 of 7 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 7 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Morgantown: C (65/100)
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
Morgantown water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0004 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): 7 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 | 32 | 7 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 16 | 7 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 7 |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other | 8 | 7 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26501 | C | 8 | 1 | Morgantown Utility Board |
| 26502 | C | 8 | 1 | Morgantown Utility Board |
| 26504 | C | 8 | 1 | Morgantown Utility Board |
| 26505 | C | 8 | 1 | Morgantown Utility Board |
| 26506 | C | 8 | 1 | Morgantown Utility Board |
| 26507 | C | 8 | 1 | Morgantown Utility Board |
| 26508 | C | 8 | 1 | Morgantown Utility Board |
All ZIP Codes in Morgantown
- 26501 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 26502 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 26504 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 26505 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 26506 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 26507 [C] — 8 violations ⚠
- 26508 [C] — 8 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 Morgantown
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 Morgantown
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Morgantown: Remediation Cost in Perspective
How does remediation fit within the broader financial picture for Morgantown homeowners? The equity share is moderate — large enough that treating it as a real planning consideration makes sense, and manageable enough that most homeowners have a clear path to addressing documented water and safety issues when they approach the commitment with deliberate advance budgeting rather than as an unplanned expense.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Morgantown. The estimated $1,807–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 99% above the West Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Morgantown
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.
Lead risk in Morgantown appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Morgantown
Measured across the NFIP's multi-decade tracking period, Morgantown shows a moderate flood record — 268 claims and 86% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone status. For water quality, that combination matters because flood events at this frequency can periodically stress infrastructure: treatment plants, private wells, and distribution systems all face elevated risk during significant flooding.
Morgantown has a moderate flood history with 268 FEMA claims averaging $9,328 per payout. 86% 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>$2,786</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 Morgantown
- 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 Morgantown's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Morgantown, WV