Parkersburg, WV: 5 Health Violations — 76/100 (2026)
5 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
The water systems supplying Parkersburg show a track record of above-average compliance with federal standards — consistently among the better performers in WV.
How Parkersburg Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Water Quality Map: Parkersburg, WV
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Parkersburg's 5 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Parkersburg Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 30 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0016 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,260 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.75 — above typical levels.
Parkersburg's Water Providers
Parkersburg, 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.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Parkersburg, West Virginia (population ~45,300), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 80,461 people region-wide.
5 of 5 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 5 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Parkersburg: B (76/100)
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
Parkersburg water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0016 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 18 | 5 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 5 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 5 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 6 | 5 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26101 | C | 6 | 1 | Parkersburg Utility Board |
| 26102 | B | 6 | 1 | Parkersburg Utility Board |
| 26103 | B | 6 | 1 | Parkersburg Utility Board |
| 26104 | B | 6 | 1 | Parkersburg Utility Board |
| 26106 | B | 6 | 1 | Parkersburg Utility Board |
All ZIP Codes in Parkersburg
- 26101 [C] — 6 violations ⚠
- 26102 [B] — 6 violations ⚠
- 26103 [B] — 6 violations ⚠
- 26104 [B] — 6 violations ⚠
- 26106 [B] — 6 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.
Parkersburg 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
What's in Parkersburg's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Parkersburg
The cost-to-value ratio in Parkersburg is in the moderate range — neither dismissible nor alarming, but above the threshold where remediation can be treated as incidental. Most homeowners here are weighing a real equity commitment, and the moderate classification reflects that accurately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Parkersburg. The estimated $1,190–$3,640 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 23% above the West Virginia average.
Parkersburg: 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.
Lead risk in Parkersburg 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.
Parkersburg: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
What does a high NFIP claim count mean for water quality in Parkersburg? The 571 documented claims reflect a flood history frequent enough that those infrastructure degradation pathways — treatment overload, well infiltration, backflow — have almost certainly been periodically activated. That record makes flood timing a relevant factor in local water quality assessment, particularly in the 60% of ZIP codes FEMA has designated as flood zones.
Parkersburg has a significant flood history with 571 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $14,579 per claim. With 60% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,260</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 Parkersburg, WV