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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 26155 Water Quality & Testing Report

New Martinsville, WV · Wetzel County County · Updated for 2026

Sahajul HaqueCompiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records
Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 26155 (New Martinsville, WV)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 26155 (New Martinsville, WV) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (48/100) due to 4 health violation(s) and 1.1 ppb lead. While treated by City of Paden City,, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

4

Total Violations

38

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

3

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 20 unresolved violations. Contact City of Paden City, for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 26155

Tap water in ZIP code 26155 (New Martinsville, WV) is distributed by City of Paden City, (EPA ID: WV3305204), serving approximately 3,291 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of D with a composite quality score of 48/100.

Water System

City of Paden City,

EPA ID: WV3305204

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

3,291 residents

County

Wetzel County County, West Virginia

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Lead Levels in ZIP 26155

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 1.1 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 26155 is 1.1 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.

Lead exposure risk in 26155 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 61% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
1.10 ppb (0.0011 mg/L)
Copper Level (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L

1.43 mg/L
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

61%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Moderately Hard5.1 GPG · 88 mg/L

Water in ZIP 26155 is Moderately Hard (88 mg/L / 5.1 GPG). It contains beneficial natural minerals like calcium and magnesium without causing heavy scale accumulation.

Recommendation: A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

5.1 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

88 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Low / Moderate

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: City of Paden City, · PWSID: WV3305204

Verify on EPA.gov
📋

Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

City of Paden City, has recorded 4 health-based violations out of 38 total violations over the past 5 years. 20 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
38
Health-Based Violations
4
Unresolved Violations
20
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Low

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Low based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 3 contaminants with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Chlorite, Contaminant 0700, Contaminant 0800.

ChloriteContaminant 0700Contaminant 0800

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$28
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

4.58%

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 26155

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 26155 served by City of Paden City, can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in WV for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 26155 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact City of Paden City, to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide →
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
⚗️

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 26155 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 26155?+
Tap water in 26155 has a below-average safety grade of D due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 26155 (New Martinsville, WV)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 26155, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in WV. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 26155?+
Tap water in 26155 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 88 mg/L (5.1 GPG). A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Should I test private well water in 26155?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 26155 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 26155 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 26155 is 1.1 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 26155?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 26155. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 26155?+
Tap water in ZIP code 26155 is provided by City of Paden City, (EPA ID: WV3305204), serving approximately 3,291 residents.
What water filter should I use in 26155?+
Based on water metrics for 26155, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 58 (Reverse Osmosis), NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead & VOCs), NSF/ANSI P473 (PFAS/PFOS).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 26155 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by City of Paden City,. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →