City of Welch
EPA ID: WV3302421 · 2,907 people served · 10 ZIP codes
Compliance tracking for City of Welch shows 33 pending violations logged in the EPA system — the supplier delivers water to approximately 2,907 residents while those findings remain open.
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 5 (2021) to 12 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Welch Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade B
Service Area Demographics
The City of Welch serves a community with a median household income of $27,418 and an estimated 9,819 residents across its service area. Approximately 81% 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 Welch'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 Welch compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
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.
Lead at 2 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 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Lead and Copper Rule at 17 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) 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
City of Welch (EPA ID: WV3302421) is a community water system in West Virginia that serves approximately 2,907 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 10 ZIP codes across 10 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: B (71/100)
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 29, 2025 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| September 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 17, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 15, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Copper | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Health-based | Resolved |
| February 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| February 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Barium | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 31, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| August 2, 2024 | Contaminant 0800 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| August 2, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Health-based | 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 | 17 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 7 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 7 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 7 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 7 | Yes |
| Copper | Inorganic | 6 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 4 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 3 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 2 | No |
| Contaminant 1045 | Other Violation | 2 | No |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other Violation | 1 | Yes |
Health Risk Details
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L)
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water, people who frequently shower in chlorinated water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24878 | 0.00142 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 24801 | 0.00117 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 24853 | 0.00048 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: 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.
- 24801 — Welch
- 24828 — Davy
- 24831 — Elkhorn
- 24836 — Gary
- 24844 — Iaeger
- 24853 — Kimball
- 24868 — Northfork
- 24878 — Premier
- 24881 — Roderfield
- 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 Welch (WV3302421) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Welch water safe to drink?
City of Welch has recorded 13 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 City of Welch serve?
City of Welch serves approximately 2,907 people across 10 ZIP codes in West Virginia.
Where does City of Welch 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 Welch (EPA ID: WV3302421) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.