Ritchie County, West Virginia
9 ZIP codes · Avg score 64/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Ritchie County's 9 ZIP codes, water safety results are uneven — a portion of systems carry active or recent violations, while others meet standards without issues.
How Ritchie County Compares
How Ritchie County Compares
Ritchie County scores 0 points above the West Virginia state average (64/100) and 4 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Ritchie 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: 18.2 (asthma 12.4%, diabetes 17.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $807, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.501% avg pipe failure probability, 89% of ZIPs at high risk
59.7% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Ritchie County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 9 violations. Past 5 years: 23 total (23 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.
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: $807
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
4,254 housing units in Ritchie 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 Ritchie County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Ritchie 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 Ritchie 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 Ritchie County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HARRISVILLE | 2,347 | 24 |
| 2 | Ellenboro Public Service District | 456 | 22 |
| 3 | Hughes River Water | 1 | 20 |
| 4 | Pennsboro | 1,254 | 18 |
| 5 | WEST UNION, TOWN OF | 1,895 | 18 |
7 total water systems serve Ritchie County.
All ZIP Codes in Ritchie County
9 ZIP codes tracked in Ritchie County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26346 | Ellenboro | 82 | B | 4 (1 health) | $125K |
| 2 | 26415 | Pennsboro | 77 | B | 18 (1 health) | $106K |
| 3 | 26337 | Cairo | 64 | C | 16 | $89K |
| 4 | 26362 | Harrisville | 64 | C | 20 (7 health) | $110K |
| 5 | 26161 | Petroleum | 63 | C | 0 | $177K |
| 6 | 26178 | Smithville | 63 | C | 0 | $153K |
| 7 | 26325 | Auburn | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 8 | 26327 | Berea | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 9 | 26421 | Pullman | 53 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Ritchie County
Independent picks. EPA-grounded. Matched here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 59.7% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- 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 Ritchie County, West Virginia
Overview
Ritchie County in West Virginia covers 9 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (64/100).
4 of 9 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 9 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.