West Virginia Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in West Virginia, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Lubeck Psd has the highest PFAS in West Virginia at 179.5 ppt (45x the EPA limit). Salem Water Board has the highest lead at 60.7 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in West Virginia
Public water systems in West Virginia with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lubeck Psd | Washington · 11,724 served | 179.5 | 4 | 45x |
| 2 | New Martinsville | New Martinsville · 5,272 served | 121.8 | 6 | 30x |
| 3 | Parkersburg Utility Board | Palestine · 34,251 served | 46.5 | 1 | 12x |
| 4 | Williamstown Water Dept | Williamstown · 3,469 served | 32 | 5 | 8x |
| 5 | Berkeley Co P S W D-Bunker Hill | Martinsburg · 34,586 served | 19.5 | 4 | 5x |
| 6 | Walnut Grove Utilities | Charleston · 7,250 served | 17.3 | 7 | 4x |
| 7 | Martinsburg City Of | Martinsburg · 16,250 served | 16.8 | 3 | 4x |
| 8 | Mineral Wells Psd | Mineral Wells · 5,674 served | 13.2 | 2 | 3x |
| 9 | Mountaineer Park Inc | – | 12.2 | 2 | 3x |
| 10 | Pennsboro | Pennsboro · 1,254 served | 11.7 | 2 | 3x |
| 11 | Claywood Park Psd | Mineral Wells · 8,141 served | 11.1 | 2 | 3x |
| 12 | Pleasants Co Psd | Pennsboro · 2,357 served | 11 | 2 | 3x |
Highest Lead Levels in West Virginia
Community water systems in West Virginia with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salem Water Board | Salem · 1,630 served | 60.7 | 4.0x over |
| 2 | Greenbrier Hotel Corporation | White Sulphur Springs · 3,280 served | 43 | 2.9x over |
| 3 | Pocahontas Co Psd - Cheat Mountain Water | Durbin · 1,867 served | 22.4 | 1.5x over |
| 4 | Richwood Water Dept | Richwood · 2,480 served | 18.5 | 1.2x over |
| 5 | Tyler County Psd | Friendly · 3,195 served | 17.8 | 1.2x over |
| 6 | Pleasant Hill P S D Rt 16 District | Big Bend · 1,868 served | 17.2 | 1.1x over |
| 7 | Chapmanville, Town Of | Chapmanville · 1,589 served | 16.4 | 1.1x over |
| 8 | Clay-Roane Psd (Procious District) | Procious · 2,199 served | 15.1 | 1.0x over |
| 9 | Beverly Town Of | Beverly · 2,268 served | 14 | within |
| 10 | Little Creek Psd | Fairmont · 2,136 served | 13.3 | within |
| 11 | Clarksburg Water Board | Clarksburg · 18,340 served | 13 | within |
| 12 | Va Medical Center | Martinsburg · 2,175 served | 13 | within |
Most EPA Violations in West Virginia
Community water systems in West Virginia with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Zion P S D | Grantsville · 1,113 served | 27 |
| 2 | Paden City, City Of | Paden City · 3,291 served | 19 |
| 3 | Bluewell Psd | Bluefield · 6,216 served | 16 |
| 4 | Preston County Psd 1 | Arthurdale · 3,455 served | 14 |
| 5 | Gilbert Water Works | Gilbert · 1,840 served | 13 |
| 6 | Pocahontas Co Psd - Cheat Mountain Water | Durbin · 1,867 served | 13 |
| 7 | Mineral Wells Psd | Mineral Wells · 5,674 served | 13 |
| 8 | Oceana Community Of | Oceana · 3,796 served | 13 |
| 9 | Midland Psd | Beverly · 3,802 served | 12 |
| 10 | Rainelle Water Dept | Rainelle · 1,381 served | 11 |
| 11 | Harrisville | Harrisville · 2,347 served | 10 |
| 12 | Mingo County Psd - Naugatuck | Naugatuck, Wv · 2,159 served | 10 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in West Virginia?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Lubeck Psd in Washington had the highest recorded PFAS level in West Virginia at 179.5 ppt - about 45x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which West Virginia water system has the highest lead levels?
Salem Water Board in Salem had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in West Virginia under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 60.7 ppb - 4.0x the 15 ppb action level.
Which West Virginia water system has the most EPA violations?
Mount Zion P S D in Grantsville has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in West Virginia, with 27 violations.
Where does the West Virginia water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What West Virginia Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full West Virginia water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.