West Columbia, WV - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
West Columbia Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 67 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0053 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 58% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.42 - above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving West Columbia
Residential addresses in West Columbia, WV are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in West Columbia, West Virginia (population ~1,104), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,354 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Water Sources
West Columbia water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0053 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 20 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 18 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 16 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 16 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25287 | — | 67 | 0 | Mason Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in West Columbia
- 25287 - 67 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for West Columbia
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 West Columbia
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is West Columbia's Housing Stock?
With 58% 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 West Columbia - median build year 1987 - 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 West Columbia 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.
West Columbia: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When remediation costs are measured against West Columbia home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier - addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in West Columbia are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 38% above the West Virginia average.
Protecting Children from Lead in West Columbia
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 58% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in West Columbia.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for West Columbia
Historical NFIP data for West Columbia contains 3 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $2,766. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$1,600</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for West Columbia, WV