Health Concerns Found SCHOOL DISTRICT

Kanawha County School District (WV): 26 Health Violations

48 ZIP codes · 18 water systems · 8,844,450 people served · Updated 2026-07-23

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Kanawha County School District: 500 unresolved violations in the water systems serving this district.

Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-07-23

C · 64
Avg Safety Score
48
ZIP Codes
18
Water Systems
829
Violations (5yr)
0.0012 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk

Why School Water Quality Matters

Children drink 2–4× more water per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to contaminants. School water quality affects students for hours every weekday.

Water Quality Overview

The Kanawha County School District in West Virginia spans 48 ZIP codes served by 18 community water systems, providing water to approximately 8,844,450 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is C (64/100)

  • with the lowest-scoring area at 35/100 .

Water quality in this district falls in the bottom 60% nationally.

Why This Matters for Children

Children are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults. The EPA and CDC identify these key risks:

  • Lead exposure - Even low levels of lead can affect brain development, reduce IQ, and cause behavioral problems in children. There is no safe level of lead for children.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") - Linked to immune system effects and developmental delays in children. Children drink more water relative to body weight than adults.
  • Nitrate - Dangerous for infants (can cause "blue baby syndrome"). Agricultural areas often have elevated nitrate.
  • Disinfection byproducts - Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. School water fountains often have stagnant water that concentrates these compounds.

Lead Levels in the District

Metric Value EPA Threshold
Average lead level (90th percentile) 0.0012 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.0043 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 0 of 48 -

EPA Violation History

26 health-based violations recorded across 19 of 48 ZIP codes in the past 5 years. 500 violations remain unresolved.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 178 No 18
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 67 No 17
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 67 No 18
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 63 Yes 17
E. coli Microbiological 63 No 18
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 56 Yes 17
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 49 No 16
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 44 No 15

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High risk)

20 of 48 ZIP codes are in the highest radon risk zone. Radon is the #2 cause of lung cancer in the U.S. - homes and school buildings in Zone 1 should be tested.

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
25003 Alum Creek D (53) 66 9 0.0008 mg/L No
25301 Charleston A (94) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25302 Charleston B (84) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25303 Charleston A (94) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25304 Charleston A (89) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25305 Charleston A (98) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25306 Charleston B (84) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25309 Charleston B (84) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25311 Charleston B (84) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25312 Charleston B (84) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25313 Charleston B (84) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25314 Charleston B (84) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25315 Charleston A (89) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25320 Charleston B (84) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25387 Charleston B (84) 52 1 0.001 mg/L No
25045 Clendenin C (58) 13 2 — —
25177 Saint Albans B (81) 10 1 0.0013 mg/L No
25248 Kenna C (63) 9 0 0.0043 mg/L No
25202 Tornado B (79) 3 0 0.0013 mg/L No
25015 Belle D (40) 0 0 — —
25025 Blount D (53) 0 0 — —
25035 Cabin Creek D (53) 0 0 — —
25036 Cannelton C (63) 0 0 — —
25039 Cedar Grove D (53) 0 0 — —
25054 Dawes D (53) 0 0 — —
25061 Drybranch D (53) 0 0 — —
25064 Dunbar D (40) 0 0 — —
25067 East Bank D (40) 0 0 — —
25071 Elkview F (35) 0 0 — —
25075 Eskdale C (63) 0 0 — —
25083 Gallagher C (55) 0 0 — —
25086 Glasgow D (53) 0 0 — —
25102 Handley C (63) 0 0 — —
25103 Hansford D (53) 0 0 — —
25107 Hernshaw D (53) 0 0 — —
25110 Hugheston D (53) 0 0 — —
25112 Institute D (53) 0 0 — —
25124 Liberty C (63) 0 0 — —
25126 London D (53) 0 0 — —
25132 Mammoth D (53) 0 0 — —
25134 Miami D (53) 0 0 — —
25136 Montgomery C (63) 0 0 — —
25143 Nitro C (65) 0 0 — —
25156 Pinch D (40) 0 0 — —
25160 Pond Gap D (53) 0 0 — —
25162 Pratt D (45) 0 0 — —
25201 Tad D (53) 0 0 — —
25214 Winifrede D (45) 0 0 — —

Water Systems Serving This District

Water System Population Served Source ZIP Codes
WVAWC-KANAWHA VALLEY DIST 209,283 Surface water 25003, 25015, 25025 +42 more
Wvawc - Huntington District 98,647 Surface water 25301, 25302, 25303 +11 more
WVAWC NEW RIVER REGIONAL WTR TRTMT PLT 25,603 Surface water 25083, 25136, 25301 +13 more
Putnam P S D 24,020 Surface water 25177, 25202
Wvawc Bluestone Plant 20,562 Surface water 25301, 25302, 25303 +11 more
ST ALBANS WATER 13,758 Surface water 25143, 25177
Wvawc Bluefield District 12,174 Surface water 25301, 25302, 25303 +11 more
SOUTHERN JACKSON COUNTY P S D 6,070 Surface water 25124, 25248

18 water systems total serve this district.

Lead Risk Assessment

Lead risk: ELEVATED. 34 ZIP codes in this district have high lead exposure risk scores based on housing age and infrastructure.

Infrastructure Risk Factors

Risk Factor District Average Why It Matters
Housing built before 1986 69.6% Lead solder was used in plumbing until 1986
Housing built before 1950 23.6% Lead pipes were common before 1950
Lead service line probability 21% Estimated chance of lead pipes connecting homes to water mains
Average lead level (90th pctl) 0.0012 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L
Highest measured lead level 0.0043 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L

Schools built before 1986 are especially at risk. Lead can leach from older pipes, fixtures, and solder joints into drinking water — particularly when water sits in pipes overnight or over weekends.

Detailed Violation History

2 health-based contaminants have triggered violations in this district: Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminant Category Total Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 178 No 18
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 67 No 18
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 67 No 17
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 63 Yes 17
E. coli Microbiological 63 No 18
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 56 Yes 17
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 49 No 16
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 44 No 15
Contaminant 2959 Other 42 No 14
Contaminant 0700 Other 42 No 14

Most Recent Violations

  • Violation in ZIP 25003 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 25003 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 25003 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 25003 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 25003 (Unknown date) — Unresolved

Is the Water Safe at Kanawha County School District Schools?

Several factors warrant attention for families in the Kanawha County School District area:

  • Water systems in this district have recorded 26 health-based violations. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose health risks.
  • 69.6% of buildings in this district predate 1986, increasing the risk of lead in school plumbing.
  • 500 violations remain unresolved, meaning the issues have not been officially corrected.

Important context: EPA compliance data measures water quality at the utility level. Individual school buildings — especially older ones — may have additional risks from internal plumbing, lead fixtures, and stagnant water in pipes.

What Parents Should Do

Testing

  1. Request your school's water testing results. Under the EPA's 3Ts program, schools are encouraged to test drinking water. Ask the Kanawha County School District school board for the most recent results.
  2. Test your home water. If your home was built before 1986, lead may be present in your plumbing. Free or low-cost test kits are often available from your water utility.

Advocacy

  1. Attend school board meetings and ask about the district's water quality testing schedule and remediation plans.
  2. Request lead fixture replacement if your child's school was built before 1986 and hasn't upgraded its plumbing.
  3. Contact your water utility about the 500 unresolved violations in the district. Ask for a timeline for resolution.

Resources

ZIP Code Reports for This District

What Parents Can Do

  1. Request lead testing at your child's school - The EPA's 3Ts program (Training, Testing, Taking Action) provides guidance for schools. Ask your school board about their water testing schedule.
  2. Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
  3. Test your home's water - Especially if your home has older plumbing (pre-1986) that may contain lead solder or lead pipes.
  4. Pack water from home - If you're concerned about school water quality, send your child with a water bottle filled at home (filtered if possible).
  5. Stay informed - Bookmark this page to check for updates on water quality in your school district.

Need help with school water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe in Kanawha County School District schools?

Water systems serving Kanawha County School District have recorded 26 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While utilities are required to meet federal standards, individual school buildings may have older plumbing that can introduce contaminants. Parents should request lead testing results from their school.

Does Kanawha County School District test for lead in school water?

Federal law does not require schools to test for lead in drinking water (except in some states with specific mandates). The EPA's voluntary 3Ts program encourages testing. Contact your school district office to ask about their testing schedule and results.

What level of lead is safe for children?

There is no safe level of lead for children, according to the CDC. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) triggers corrective action for water systems, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water contain no more than 0.001 mg/L (1 ppb).

Data Sources

Updated daily.

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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Kanawha County School District (WV): 26 Health Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/schools/kanawha-county-school-district-wv/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-schools-kanawha-county-school-district-wv,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Kanawha County School District (WV): 26 Health Violations}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/schools/kanawha-county-school-district-wv/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

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