Lester Municipal Water Works
EPA ID: WV3304115 · 665 people served · 5 ZIP codes
Right now, Lester Municipal Water Works shows 16 EPA violations marked active and unresolved — the provider continues to supply approximately 665 residents while each finding awaits closure.
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 (2022) to 19 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Lester Municipal Water Works Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Lester Municipal Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $66,109 and an estimated 2,973 residents across its service area. Approximately 59% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 82% 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?
Lester Municipal Water Works'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 1% of homes in Raleigh 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 Lester Municipal Water Works compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
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.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 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
LESTER MUNICIPAL WATER WORKS (EPA ID: WV3304115) is a community water system in West Virginia that serves approximately 665 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 5 ZIP codes across 5 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (52/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| December 30, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 22, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| September 15, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| June 2, 2024 | Contaminant 0800 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| February 12, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 7 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 1 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 1 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other Violation | 1 | Yes |
Health Risk Details
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25865 | 0.0141 mg/L | No | 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: 2 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 3 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.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Lester Municipal Water Works (WV3304115) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lester Municipal Water Works water safe to drink?
Lester Municipal Water Works has recorded 5 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 Lester Municipal Water Works serve?
Lester Municipal Water Works serves approximately 665 people across 5 ZIP codes in West Virginia.
Where does Lester Municipal Water Works 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
Lester Municipal Water Works (EPA ID: WV3304115) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.