Richwood, WV: Lead Above EPA Limits — 36/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
The latest EPA cycle for Richwood shows a low safety grade within WV — compliance gaps have persisted over multiple reporting periods, and the city currently holds a low grade in available EPA data.
How Richwood Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Richwood Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 30 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0185 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 81% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $7,660 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.2 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Richwood
In Richwood, WV, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 3 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Richwood, West Virginia (population ~3,115), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 6,664 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Richwood: F (36/100)
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
Richwood water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0185 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26261 | F | 30 | 3 | Richwood Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in Richwood
- 26261 [F] — 30 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 Richwood
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 Richwood
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Richwood's Housing Stock?
With 81% 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
Reading the housing age data for Richwood — median build year 1967 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Richwood 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.
Richwood: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Viewed from a financial planning lens, Richwood sits in the high remediation-share tier — the equity impact of addressing documented issues is material, and deliberate preparation is more than a convenience here.
At 11.9% of home value, remediation costs in Richwood represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $4,740–$11,280. Home values here are 52% below the West Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Richwood
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.
Confirming what arrives at a household tap is the practical question that utility-side averages cannot answer for one specific address. In Richwood, where 81% of housing predates the solder ban and citywide samples sit beyond the action level, a household kit and certified filtration are the household-level tools.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Richwood
FEMA data shows 100% of Richwood's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 150 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Richwood has a moderate flood history with 150 FEMA claims averaging $45,485 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>$7,660</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 Richwood
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Richwood's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 81% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Richwood, WV