Preston County, West Virginia
13 ZIP codes · Avg score 59/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Tracking 13 ZIP codes in Preston County reveals a mixed picture — tap water quality varies meaningfully by location.
How Preston County Compares
How Preston County Compares
Preston County scores 5 points below the West Virginia state average (64/100) and 9 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Preston County, West Virginia
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 16 (asthma 11.9%, diabetes 15.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $810, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.47% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
58.5% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↓ Improving trendEPA violation counts by year across Preston County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 9 violations. Past 5 years: 22 total (22 health-based). Health-based violations are declining versus the prior 2-year window.
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $810
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
14,843 housing units in Preston County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Preston County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Preston County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Preston County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Preston County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preston County Public Service District 1 | 3,455 | 83 |
| 2 | Tunnelton Town of | 1,346 | 62 |
| 3 | Alpine Lake Public Utilities | 1,325 | 59 |
| 4 | Rowlesburg Water Works | 680 | 55 |
| 5 | Preston Company Public Service District 1 Purchaser | 291 | 49 |
18 total water systems serve Preston County.
All ZIP Codes in Preston County
13 ZIP codes tracked in Preston County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26410 | Newburg | 68 | C | 2 | $113K |
| 2 | 26764 | Terra Alta | 68 | C | 36 (2 health) | $134K |
| 3 | 26542 | Masontown | 66 | C | 6 | $152K |
| 4 | 26547 | Reedsville | 66 | C | 16 (1 health) | $186K |
| 5 | 26525 | Bruceton Mills | 64 | C | 4 | $203K |
| 6 | 26537 | Kingwood | 59 | C | 3 | $169K |
| 7 | 26425 | Rowlesburg | 58 | C | 55 (4 health) | $91K |
| 8 | 26444 | Tunnelton | 56 | C | 7 | $111K |
| 9 | 26519 | Albright | 56 | C | 23 | $111K |
| 10 | 26520 | Arthurdale | 54 | D | 49 (4 health) | $201K |
| 11 | 26374 | Independence | 53 | D | 0 | $143K |
| 12 | 26524 | Bretz | 53 | D | 0 | $157K |
| 13 | 26705 | Aurora | 40 | D | 0 | $154K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Preston County
Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 58.5% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Preston County, West Virginia
Overview
Preston County in West Virginia covers 13 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (59/100).
10 of 13 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 11 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to West Virginia water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.