Sand Fork, WV: 62 Violations — 64/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Sand Fork water quality is uneven — some service areas show clean compliance; others carry documented violations in WV EPA records.
How Sand Fork Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Sand Fork Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 62 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 79% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.11 — above typical levels.
Sand Fork's Water Providers
Water delivery in Sand Fork, WV is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 5 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 Sand Fork, West Virginia (population ~299), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 3,730 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sand Fork: C (64/100)
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
Sand Fork water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0001 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 44 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 18 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 18 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 10 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26430 | C | 62 | 0 | Gilmer County Public Service District - Federal Prison |
All ZIP Codes in Sand Fork
- 26430 [C] — 62 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.
Sand Fork 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 Sand Fork's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Sand Fork Infrastructure Age
With 79% 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
Because the majority of Sand Fork's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1974 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Sand Fork 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Sand Fork
Viewed from a financial planning lens, Sand Fork sits in the moderate remediation-share tier — the equity impact of addressing documented issues is real, and deliberate preparation separates smooth outcomes from disruptive ones for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Sand Fork. The estimated $800–$2,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 12% below the West Virginia average.
Sand Fork: 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.
When older housing represents 79% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Sand Fork address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Sand Fork: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Sand Fork has accumulated 38 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Sand Fork has a moderate flood history with 38 FEMA claims averaging $5,857 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 Sand Fork
- 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 Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Sand Fork's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 79% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Sand Fork, WV