City of Gary
EPA ID: WV3302420 · 1,633 people served · 9 ZIP codes
Looking at the EPA enforcement file for City of Gary, 14 violations are listed as unresolved — those findings cover the utility's service area of approximately 1,633 people and remain open in the federal compliance system, awaiting formal corrective action documentation.
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 4 (2021) to 8 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Gary Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade B
Service Area Demographics
The City of Gary serves a community with a median household income of $39,038 and an estimated 9,109 residents across its service area. Approximately 84% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 100% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
City of Gary's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 0% of homes in McDowell 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 80th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How City of Gary compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead at 1 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.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 0700 at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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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
GARY CITY OF (EPA ID: WV3302420) is a community water system in West Virginia that serves approximately 1,633 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 9 ZIP codes across 9 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: B (74/100)
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 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| February 14, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| February 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| February 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| December 30, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| November 14, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 8, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| October 13, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 10, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| February 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| December 30, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| September 1, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Lead | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 6 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 6 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 6 | Yes |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 3 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 3 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24836 | 0.0038 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
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: 7 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 2 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
- 24801 — Welch
- 24808 — Anawalt
- 24830 — Elbert
- 24831 — Elkhorn
- 24836 — Gary
- 24853 — Kimball
- 24868 — Northfork
- 24871 — Pageton
- 24888 — Thorpe
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Gary (WV3302420) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Gary water safe to drink?
City of Gary has recorded 1 health-based violation 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 City of Gary serve?
City of Gary serves approximately 1,633 people across 9 ZIP codes in West Virginia.
Where does City of Gary get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
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
City of Gary (EPA ID: WV3302420) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.