Health Violations Found WV 4 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Sistersville Municipal Water

EPA ID: WV3304803 · 1,892 people served · 2 ZIP codes

In the current EPA monitoring period, Sistersville Municipal Water has 7 violations still listed as unresolved, with the utility supplying water to approximately 1,892 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

B · 71
Avg Safety Score
1,892
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
22
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0023 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
11
Contaminants Flagged
$118K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 3 (2021) to 3 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Sistersville Municipal Water Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$56,892
Median Household Income
10,883
Service Area Population
84%
Disadvantaged Population
75th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
78%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Sistersville Municipal Water serves a community with a median household income of $56,892 and an estimated 10,883 residents across its service area. Approximately 78% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 84% 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?

Groundwater

Sistersville Municipal Water'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
80th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
50th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Wetzel 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

60 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
5 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 92% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Sistersville Municipal Water compares to EPA limits

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects
Chromium 1 mg/L (total chromium; California Cr-6 MCL = 0.010 mg/L) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.1 mg/L (total chromium; California Cr-6 MCL = 0.010 mg/L)
Stomach & intestinal cancer (known carcinogen)
Chlorite 3 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 1 mg/L
Anemia and nervous system effects in infants and children

What This Means For You

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Chromium at 1 mg/L (total chromium; California Cr-6 MCL = 0.010 mg/L) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.1 mg/L (total chromium; California Cr-6 MCL = 0.010 mg/L). Stomach & intestinal cancer (known carcinogen). Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Lead and Copper Rule at 8 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Chlorite at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 1 mg/L. Anemia and nervous system effects in infants and children. Consider ferrous sulfate reduction filtration.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 3 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. 3 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 2 exceed state limits.

State limits: PFOA: 0.004 ppt, PFOS: 0.004 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

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

West Union, Town of
1,895 people
C 22 violations
0 violations
D 19 violations
C 7 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Water Filtration Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,200
Water Filtration $600
Radon Mitigation $400
PFAS Treatment $300
Total Estimated Cost $2,500

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,665
10 years
$15,330
20 years
$30,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,500 (one-time) vs. $15,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Sistersville Municipal Water (EPA ID: WV3304803) is a community water system in West Virginia that serves approximately 1,892 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 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

4 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 7 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
December 15, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
November 14, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
September 26, 2024 Contaminant 0700 Health-based Unresolved
September 12, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
September 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
September 1, 2023 E. coli Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Unresolved
May 14, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
February 16, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule 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 8 No
Chlorite Disinfection Byproducts 3 Yes
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Chromium Inorganic 1 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No
Contaminant 0800 Other Violation 1 Yes
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 1 No
E. coli Microbiological 1 No
Contaminant 0700 Other Violation 1 Yes

Health Risk Details

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 →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
26175 0.0023 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 Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

  • 26155 — New Martinsville
  • 26175 — Sistersville

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Sistersville Municipal Water (WV3304803) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sistersville Municipal Water water safe to drink?

Sistersville Municipal Water has recorded 4 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 Sistersville Municipal Water serve?

Sistersville Municipal Water serves approximately 1,892 people across 2 ZIP codes in West Virginia.

Where does Sistersville Municipal Water 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:

1
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
731
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2024-07-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 1,892
Reported to West Virginia

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Sistersville Municipal Water safe to drink?
Sistersville Municipal Water earns a B safety grade with 22 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Sistersville Municipal Water's water?
Detected contaminants include Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Chromium, Lead and Copper Rule, Chlorite. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Sistersville Municipal Water serve?
Sistersville Municipal Water serves approximately 1,892 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Sistersville Municipal Water's water source?
Sistersville Municipal Water draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Sistersville Municipal Water's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0023 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Sistersville Municipal Water's service area?
The Sistersville Municipal Water service area has a median household income of $56,892. EPA EJScreen data classifies 84% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Sistersville Municipal Water get its water?
Sistersville Municipal Water'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. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Sistersville Municipal Water (EPA ID: WV3304803) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems West Virginia Sistersville Municipal Water

Get safety alerts for Sistersville Municipal Water, West Virginia

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.