Water Quality in West Milford, WV: 49 Violations — Grade B
Grade B · Score 73/100 · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
West Milford's water is mostly safe. Minor violations exist but are primarily monitoring-related.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
The compliance record maintained by the EPA for West Milford, WV documents 49 water violations — each tied to a specific public water system and assigned a violation category in the federal Safe Drinking Water dataset.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in West Milford
Water quality varies across West Milford's 1 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26451 | B | 73 | 49 | 7 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving West Milford.
Water Quality Overview
West Milford, West Virginia receives a water quality grade of B with an overall score of 73 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 5 water systems serving West Milford have accumulated 49 EPA violations, including 7 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 1 ZIP codes serving approximately 10,312 people.
What Grade B Means
A grade of B indicates good compliance with EPA drinking water standards. While not perfect, West Milford's water systems meet the vast majority of federal requirements. Minor violations may exist but typically relate to monitoring or reporting rather than health-based standards.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across West Milford water systems is 0.0007 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 76% of homes built before 1986, West Milford has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Radon Risk
West Milford is in EPA Radon Zone 2 (Moderate risk). Testing is recommended, especially for homes with basements or ground-level living spaces.
Water Systems Serving West Milford
West Milford is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 10,312 people across 1 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving West Milford. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in West Milford
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test — certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories — monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in West Milford Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across West Milford's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 18 | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 8 | 1 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 7 | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 6 | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 3 | 1 | Yes |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving West Milford:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
Violation counts have remained stable over the observed period.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 5 enforcement actions against water systems serving West Milford. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-08-06 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-07-11 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-07-11 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-04-10 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-03-27 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-08-06.
West Milford vs. Nearby West Virginia Cities
How West Milford's water quality compares to similar cities in West Virginia:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Milford | B | 49 | 5 | 10,312 |
| Bethany | D | 0 | 1 | 10,328 |
| Dallas | D | 0 | 1 | 10,328 |
| West Liberty | C | 3 | 1 | 10,328 |
Common Questions About West Milford Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in West Milford, West Virginia:
Is West Milford water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. West Milford's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink West Milford tap water? West Milford's water receives a grade of B (73/100). There are 7 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for West Milford? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
West Milford vs. West Virginia Average
Understanding how West Milford compares to the broader West Virginia average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below — water quality can vary significantly even within West Milford.
ZIP Codes in West Milford
West Milford spans 1 ZIP code. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 26451. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade B is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.