Raleigh, WV Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Recent monitoring in Raleigh shows middle-tier safety for WV — some systems are clean; others have logged EPA violations.
How Raleigh Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Raleigh Water
- Homes built before 1986: 92% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.45 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Raleigh
Water delivery in Raleigh, WV is handled by 2 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 2 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Raleigh, West Virginia (population ~115), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 54,049 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Raleigh — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Raleigh: 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
Raleigh water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Raleigh
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25911 | C | BECKLEY WATER COMPANY | 47,386 |
All ZIP Codes in Raleigh
- 25911 [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.
Health Outcomes in Raleigh
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Raleigh
With 92% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Raleigh's housing stock carries a median build year of 1903. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Raleigh 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Raleigh Homeowners
Throughout Raleigh, fixing documented water and safety issues carries an equity weight that moves remediation out of routine planning territory and into structured financial decision-making.
At 3.5% of home value, remediation costs in Raleigh represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $800–$2,600. Home values here are 65% below the West Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Raleigh
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.
Routinely in Raleigh, where 92% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Raleigh
Flood risk in Raleigh occupies the middle ground: 9 NFIP claims and 100% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Raleigh has a moderate flood history with 9 FEMA claims averaging $8,162 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 Raleigh
- 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 92% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Raleigh, WV