WaterQ
West Virginia State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is Charleston tap water safe to drink?

⚠ Caution Advised
B

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 70/100.

Safety Score
70
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in Charleston?

Read Decision Guide →

Charleston

West Virginia

View West Virginia state report Verified: Apr 2026

Is Charleston tap water safe to drink?

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 70/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 2 local systems in Charleston. We found 0 total violations (0 unresolved).

Real-Time Environment

Live: 02:45 PM
0mm Precipitation

☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in Charleston.

Water Quality Impact

✅ Minimal Impact Localized weather conditions may influence test result variability.

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Charleston?

Requirement Status
Recommended
🟡
💡

Expert Advice

Given the safety margin, a Carbon Block or sediment filter is recommended to improve taste and remove trace particulates.

Buying a Filter?

Should you buy a water purifier in Charleston? See our analysis.

Baby Formula Safety

Is Charleston tap water safe for infants? Critical safety guide.

Homebuyer's Perspective

For those looking to relocate to Charleston, water quality is a key factor in long-term property maintenance. With a score of 70/100, we recommend budgeting for high-quality point-of-entry filtration systems to protect your home's value.

Property Impact: Positive / Stable

Health & Family Safety

Residents should monitor PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate) levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Score Breakdown for Charleston

EPA Compliance & Violations 85/100
Contaminant Safety Margin 70%

*Scores are calculated using weighted EPA monitoring data from the past 5 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charleston tap water safe to drink?

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 70/100.

How many water systems serve Charleston?

Charleston is served by 2 public water systems in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

How can I check water quality for my exact address in Charleston?

Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Charleston.

What is the water quality score for Charleston?

The water quality score for Charleston is N/A out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.

What are the top contaminants in Charleston?

The top contaminants detected in Charleston include PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate), Total Trihalomethanes, Lead. View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
70/100
Grade
C
Water Systems
10
Population
386,258

Charleston Water Quality Summary

Charleston, WV receives a water quality score of 70/100 (Grade C) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 10 public water systems serving the area.

Charleston's water quality is near the national average. While most systems meet EPA standards, some violations have been recorded. Residents may wish to review their specific water system's report for contaminant details.

Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology →

Key Contaminants

PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate) Violation
0.0084 / 0.004 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 0.004 μg/L
Total Trihalomethanes Violation
155.9036 / 80 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 80 μg/L
Lead
13.6723 / 15 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 15 μg/L
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
0.0033 / 0.004 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 0.004 μg/L
Mercury
1.6182 / 2 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 2 μg/L
Selenium
34.8077 / 50 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 50 μg/L
Uranium
20.5317 / 30 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 30 μg/L
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
3.3767 / 5 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 5 μg/L

Water Systems Serving Charleston (2)

Related

Compare Charleston water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality