Shinnston, WV: 2 Health Violations — 71/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities in Shinnston have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods — the city's above-average grade in WV reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Shinnston Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Shinnston Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 109 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0012 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 77% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.94 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Shinnston
Water delivery in Shinnston, WV is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 7 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 Shinnston, West Virginia (population ~5,899), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 10,528 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Shinnston: B (71/100)
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
Shinnston water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0012 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 | 60 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 50 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 32 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 20 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 20 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26431 | B | 109 | 2 | City of Shinnston |
All ZIP Codes in Shinnston
- 26431 [B] — 109 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.
Health Outcomes in Shinnston
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
Top Contaminants in Shinnston Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Shinnston
With 77% 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, Shinnston's housing stock carries a median build year of 1968. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Shinnston 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 Shinnston Homeowners
The cost-to-value ratio in Shinnston 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 Shinnston. The estimated $950–$3,200 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 4% above the West Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Shinnston
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 77% 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 Shinnston address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Shinnston
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Shinnston falls in moderate-exposure territory — 52 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.
Shinnston has a moderate flood history with 52 FEMA claims averaging $5,174 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>$1,900</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 Shinnston, WV