Switchback, WV Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Switchback hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in WV with few health-based violations on file.
How Switchback Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Switchback Water
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 20.24 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Switchback
Most residential addresses in Switchback, WV are served by a single water utility — the dominant system among the 1 provider tracked in federal data.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Switchback, West Virginia, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,648 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Switchback — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Switchback: B (73/100)
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
Switchback water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Switchback
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24887 | B | MCDOWELL COUNTY PSD MAYBEURY | 1,648 |
All ZIP Codes in Switchback
- 24887 [B]
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 Switchback
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
Flood & Climate Risk in Switchback
Flood activity in Switchback is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 2-claim record and 100% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Switchback has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $10,951 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>$1,200</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 Switchback, WV