Morgantown, WV: 7 Health Violations - Home Safety 57/100
7 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Morgantown: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (7 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
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
Morgantown Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 55 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0043 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 7 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.
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Overview
We track home safety data for 7 ZIP codes in Morgantown, West Virginia, covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 98,161 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 4 of 7 ZIP codes.
4 of 4 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 7 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Morgantown: C (57/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Morgantown water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0043 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 4 ZIP codes with known status 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 | 33 | 3 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 17 | 3 |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other | 14 | 3 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 11 | 3 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 10 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26501 | D | 42 | 7 | Morgantown Utility Board |
| 26508 | D | 23 | 1 | Morgantown Utility Board |
| 26505 | — | 7 | 1 | Morgantown Utility Board |
| 26506 | C | 1 | 0 | Morgantown Utility Board |
All ZIP Codes in Morgantown
- 26501 [D] - 42 violations ⚠
- 26502
- 26504
- 26505 - 7 violations ⚠
- 26506 [C] - 1 violation
- 26507
- 26508 [D] - 23 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
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.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Morgantown
Historical NFIP data for Morgantown contains 268 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $11,119. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 67% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$2,786</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
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