Richwood Water Department
EPA ID: WV3303401 · 2,480 people served · 2 ZIP codes
24 open EPA findings remain on record at Richwood Water Department — the utility supplies approximately 2,480 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 5 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Richwood Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade F
Service Area Demographics
The Richwood Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $39,387 and an estimated 3,968 residents across its service area. Approximately 73% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 93% 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?
Richwood Water Department'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 4% of homes in Webster County, West Virginia rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Richwood Water Department 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.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Lead and Copper Rule at 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 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
Richwood Water Department (EPA ID: WV3303401) is a community water system in West Virginia that serves approximately 2,480 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: F (36/100)
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 12, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 15, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 1, 2025 | Fecal Coliform | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 1, 2025 | E. coli | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| March 17, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Health-based | Unresolved |
| February 28, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 12, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Contaminant 1919 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| December 30, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| February 16, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Barium | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| November 1, 2023 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
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 | 7 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 5 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 2 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 1919 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other Violation | 1 | Yes |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26261 | 0.0185 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Richwood Water Department (WV3303401) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richwood Water Department water safe to drink?
Richwood Water Department has recorded 3 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 Richwood Water Department serve?
Richwood Water Department serves approximately 2,480 people across 2 ZIP codes in West Virginia.
Where does Richwood Water Department get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
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
Richwood Water Department (EPA ID: WV3303401) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.