Oak Hill, WV Water Safety: 78/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current monitoring, Oak Hill holds an above-average drinking water safety record for WV — violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.
How Oak Hill Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Oak Hill Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 74% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.36 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Oak Hill
A single dominant system supplies most of Oak Hill, WV. That utility controls infrastructure decisions, rate structures, and EPA compliance reporting for most residential addresses served across those 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Oak Hill, West Virginia (population ~10,225), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 25,603 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Oak Hill — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Oak Hill: B (78/100)
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
Oak Hill water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25901 | B | Wvawc New River Regional Wtr Trtmt Plt | 25,603 |
All ZIP Codes in Oak Hill
- 25901 [B]
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 Oak Hill
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
How Old Is Oak Hill's Housing Stock?
With 74% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Oak Hill's median build year of 1976 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Oak Hill 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.
Oak Hill: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Oak Hill is moderate — worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Oak Hill. The estimated $800–$2,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 16% below the West Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Oak Hill
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.
Older stock in Oak Hill represents 74% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Oak Hill
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Oak Hill falls in moderate-exposure territory — 12 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Oak Hill has a moderate flood history with 12 FEMA claims averaging $9,180 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Oak Hill, WV