Wharncliffe, WV Water Safety: 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Wharncliffe, water safety data for WV reveals moderate quality — federal standards are generally met, but documented exceptions exist in specific service areas.
How Wharncliffe Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Wharncliffe Water
- Homes built before 1986: 41% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 19.7 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Wharncliffe
Residential water in Wharncliffe, WV is supplied by 2 separate utilities — not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 2 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Wharncliffe, West Virginia (population ~485), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 4,045 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Wharncliffe — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Wharncliffe: C (65/100)
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
Wharncliffe water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Wharncliffe
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25651 | C | GILBERT WATER WORKS | 1,840 |
All ZIP Codes in Wharncliffe
- 25651 [C]
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 Wharncliffe
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Wharncliffe
With 41% 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
For a city with a median build year of 1996, Wharncliffe carries a housing profile that straddles the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in plumbing. Neither predominantly new nor predominantly old, the stock presents a moderate aggregate risk environment — with individual risk varying sharply depending on when and where a specific home was built.
Most homes in Wharncliffe were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Wharncliffe Homeowners
Given current Wharncliffe property values, the remediation share falls in the moderate tier — an indicator that the household financial perspective here calls for advance planning rather than dismissal, with most homeowners positioned to address documented issues through deliberate budgeting rather than needing to treat remediation as a significant equity event or financial emergency.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Wharncliffe. The estimated $800–$1,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 39% below the West Virginia average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Wharncliffe
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.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Wharncliffe. 41% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Wharncliffe
A moderate NFIP record for Wharncliffe — 16 insurance claims paired with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones — points to a flood history where water-quality pathways have likely been periodically relevant.
Wharncliffe has a moderate flood history with 16 FEMA claims averaging $4,589 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.
What You Can Do in Wharncliffe
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 41% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Wharncliffe, WV