Worst Infrastructure: West Virginia

Out of 813 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in West Virginia, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	813
Highest risk	72%
Median risk	48%
Average risk	48%
State	West Virginia

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	25115	Kanawha Falls	WV	72%	Very High	63/100
2	25810	Allen Junction	WV	72%	Very High	73/100
3	25826	Corinne	WV	72%	Very High	65/100
4	25853	Helen	WV	72%	Very High	63/100
5	26236	Selbyville	WV	72%	Very High	53/100
6	26366	Haywood	WV	72%	Very High	63/100
7	26435	Simpson	WV	72%	Very High	63/100
8	26438	Spelter	WV	72%	Very High	63/100
9	26543	Osage	WV	72%	Very High	45/100
10	26560	Baxter	WV	72%	Very High	63/100
11	26750	Piedmont	WV	70%	Very High	38/100
12	26404	Meadowbrook	WV	69%	Very High	55/100
13	25090	Glen Ferris	WV	68%	Very High	63/100
14	25855	Hilltop	WV	68%	Very High	63/100
15	25936	Thurmond	WV	68%	Very High	63/100
16	25972	Leslie	WV	68%	Very High	53/100
17	25040	Charlton Heights	WV	67%	Very High	63/100
18	25051	Costa	WV	67%	Very High	45/100
19	25119	Kincaid	WV	67%	Very High	63/100
20	25149	Ottawa	WV	67%	Very High	73/100
21	25911	Raleigh	WV	67%	Very High	63/100
22	26361	Gypsy	WV	67%	Very High	53/100
23	25204	Twilight	WV	66%	Very High	63/100
24	25864	Layland	WV	66%	Very High	63/100
25	26436	Smithburg	WV	66%	Very High	55/100
26	26506	Morgantown	WV	66%	Very High	69/100
27	26544	Pentress	WV	66%	Very High	53/100
28	25639	Peach Creek	WV	65%	Very High	73/100
29	25021	Bim	WV	64%	Very High	73/100
30	25031	Boomer	WV	64%	Very High	63/100
31	25567	Sumerco	WV	64%	Very High	53/100
32	25647	Switzer	WV	64%	Very High	60/100
33	25916	Sabine	WV	64%	Very High	73/100
34	25966	Green Sulphur Springs	WV	64%	Very High	53/100
35	26230	Pickens	WV	64%	Very High	53/100
36	26289	Red Creek	WV	64%	Very High	63/100
37	26576	Idamay	WV	64%	Very High	63/100
38	25022	Blair	WV	63%	Very High	66/100
39	26148	Macfarlan	WV	63%	Very High	63/100
40	26162	Porters Falls	WV	63%	Very High	40/100
41	26298	Bergoo	WV	63%	Very High	63/100
42	26581	Littleton	WV	63%	Very High	53/100
43	24878	Premier	WV	62%	Very High	84/100
44	24981	Talcott	WV	62%	Very High	44/100
45	25075	Eskdale	WV	62%	Very High	63/100
46	25126	London	WV	62%	Very High	53/100
47	25173	Robson	WV	62%	Very High	63/100
48	25186	Smithers	WV	62%	Very High	63/100
49	25646	Stollings	WV	62%	Very High	60/100
50	25932	Surveyor	WV	62%	Very High	53/100
51	25958	Charmco	WV	62%	Very High	55/100
52	26443	Troy	WV	62%	Very High	55/100
53	26568	Enterprise	WV	62%	Very High	53/100
54	26611	Cedarville	WV	62%	Very High	53/100
55	24729	Hiawatha	WV	61%	Very High	58/100
56	25103	Hansford	WV	61%	Very High	53/100
57	25118	Kimberly	WV	61%	Very High	55/100
58	25624	Henlawson	WV	61%	Very High	73/100
59	25871	Mabscott	WV	61%	Very High	50/100
60	25928	Stephenson	WV	61%	Very High	66/100
61	26159	Paden City	WV	61%	Very High	58/100
62	26349	Galloway	WV	61%	Very High	53/100
63	26619	Exchange	WV	61%	Very High	53/100
64	24836	Gary	WV	60%	High	86/100
65	25047	Clothier	WV	60%	High	65/100
66	25048	Colcord	WV	60%	High	63/100
67	25083	Gallagher	WV	60%	High	55/100
68	25140	Naoma	WV	60%	High	63/100
69	25601	Logan	WV	60%	High	58/100
70	25635	Man	WV	60%	High	65/100
71	25846	Glen Jean	WV	60%	High	55/100
72	26075	Windsor Heights	WV	60%	High	65/100
73	26178	Smithville	WV	60%	High	63/100
74	26293	Valley Bend	WV	60%	High	53/100
75	26524	Bretz	WV	60%	High	53/100
76	26636	Rosedale	WV	60%	High	63/100
77	24817	Bradshaw	WV	59%	High	86/100
78	24870	Oceana	WV	59%	High	60/100
79	25057	Deep Water	WV	59%	High	53/100
80	25064	Dunbar	WV	59%	High	40/100
81	25132	Mammoth	WV	59%	High	53/100
82	25143	Nitro	WV	59%	High	65/100
83	25193	Sylvester	WV	59%	High	55/100
84	25208	Wharton	WV	59%	High	73/100
85	25432	Millville	WV	59%	High	53/100
86	25512	East Lynn	WV	59%	High	63/100
87	25907	Prince	WV	59%	High	63/100
88	26040	Mcmechen	WV	59%	High	56/100
89	26058	Short Creek	WV	59%	High	40/100
90	26268	Glady	WV	59%	High	63/100
91	26276	Kerens	WV	59%	High	53/100
92	26411	New Milton	WV	59%	High	63/100
93	26559	Barrackville	WV	59%	High	53/100
94	26720	Gormania	WV	59%	High	53/100
95	24801	Welch	WV	58%	High	55/100
96	24815	Berwind	WV	58%	High	86/100
97	25049	Comfort	WV	58%	High	40/100
98	25107	Hernshaw	WV	58%	High	53/100
99	25136	Montgomery	WV	58%	High	63/100
100	25156	Pinch	WV	58%	High	40/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.

Worst Infrastructure: West Virginia — 2026 Rankings