Wirt County, West Virginia
2 ZIP codes · Avg score 72/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-04
Wirt County earns a high water safety grade — 2 ZIP codes tracked, virtually all compliant.
How Wirt County Compares
How Wirt County Compares
Wirt County scores 8 points above the West Virginia state average (64/100) and 4 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 17.9 (asthma 12.3%, diabetes 18.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,145, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.41% avg pipe failure probability, 50% of ZIPs at high risk
48.5% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Wirt County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2021 with 4 violations. Past 5 years: 7 total (7 health-based).
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: $1,145
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
2,526 housing units in Wirt 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 Wirt County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Wirt 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 Wirt County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 4 systems in Wirt County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elizabeth Water Department | 2,289 | 12 |
| 2 | Claywood Park Public Service District | 8,141 | 12 |
| 3 | Mineral Wells Public Service District | 5,674 | 12 |
| 4 | Parkersburg Utility Board | 34,251 | 3 |
All ZIP Codes in Wirt County
2 ZIP codes tracked in Wirt County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26160 | Palestine | 82 | B | 3 (1 health) | $148K |
| 2 | 26143 | Elizabeth | 61 | C | 9 | $97K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Wirt County
Methodologically, the recommendation order reflects severity in the federal record: contaminants flagged in EPA detection records for this county outrank generic water concerns, FEMA-confirmed hazard ratings shift emergency-related categories upward, and CDC lead-exposure markers govern when lead-test kits and certified filters appear at the top of the list.
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Overview
Wirt County in West Virginia covers 2 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (72/100).
2 of 2 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation 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.