Charles Town Utilities
EPA ID: WV3301905 · 15,220 people served · 1 ZIP code
66 open EPA findings remain on record at Charles Town Utilities — the utility supplies approximately 15,220 people.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 1 (2021) to 3 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Charles Town Utilities Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Charles Town Utilities serves a community with a median household income of $101,020 and an estimated 20,273 residents across its service area.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Charles Town Utilities's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 0% of homes in Jefferson County, West Virginia rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Charles Town Utilities compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead at 18 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Contaminant 1006 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.006 mg/L. Cholesterol & blood sugar effects, liver damage. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 8 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Chlorodibromoacetic Acid at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 25 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 7 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 2 exceed state limits.
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in West Virginia
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Charles Town Utilities (EPA ID: WV3301905) is a community water system in West Virginia that serves approximately 15,220 people from surface water sources.
This system serves ZIP code 25414 in Charles Town.
Average Home Safety Score: D (40/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 14, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 10, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| June 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| June 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Lead | Monitoring | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 25 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 18 | Yes |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 13 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 10 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 7 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 6 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 5 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 5 | No |
| Contaminant 1064 | Other Violation | 2 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | Yes |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other Violation | 2 | No |
| Chlorodibromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | No |
Health Risk Details
Lead (EPA limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level))
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults At-risk groups: infants, children under 6, pregnant women.
Removal methods: reverse osmosis, distillation, certified carbon block filter (NSF/ANSI 53). Find the right filter →
Chlorite (EPA limit: 1 mg/L)
Anemia and nervous system effects in infants and children At-risk groups: infants, developing fetuses, people with G6PD deficiency.
Removal methods: ferrous sulfate reduction, activated carbon, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Chlorine (Residual Disinfectant) (EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level))
Irritation & DBP formation at high levels; protective at normal treatment levels At-risk groups: people with asthma or chemical sensitivities, kidney dialysis patients (water must be dechlorinated).
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), KDF media filter, carbon block filter. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25414 | 0.0006 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by WV or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
- 25414 — Charles Town
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Charles Town Utilities (WV3301905) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charles Town Utilities water safe to drink?
Charles Town Utilities has recorded 12 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Charles Town Utilities serve?
Charles Town Utilities serves approximately 15,220 people across 1 ZIP code in West Virginia.
Where does Charles Town Utilities get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Charles Town Utilities (EPA ID: WV3301905) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.