Water Service Outages in West Virginia by City

West Virginia drinking water record

• Community water systems: 414 active systems serve about 1,553,852 people. 321 of them (78%) serve 3,300 people or fewer; 129 draw mainly on groundwater and 267 on surface water.
• Health-based violations since 2015: 1,381, at 256 systems (62% of all systems). That share is 5th highest of 50 states.
• Most common problems: contaminant averages over the limit (525); uncorrected Ground Water Rule deficiencies (505); disinfection byproduct precursors (67). Source: EPA SDWIS
• Largest system: Wvawc-Kanawha Valley Dist, about 209,283 people, with 0 health-based violations since 2015. Source: EPA SDWIS
• Housing age: the median West Virginia home was built in 1976 (US 1980). Source: US Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 (table B25035)
• Storm damage to water service: NOAA storm narratives mention water mains, boil water notices or lost water service in 7 episodes in West Virginia since 2015. Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
• May 16, 2025, Mercer (thunderstorm wind): “A tree was downed by thunderstorm winds on the 400 block of Ingleside Road near the water plant.” Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
• February 17, 2023, Mingo (flood): “The water treatment plant in Williamson closed its flood gate to help prevent water from the river to spill into the area until the floodwaters receded.” Source: NOAA Storm Events Database

Checked September 2026.