Based on a 10-year study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quality of West Virginia groundwater is “good,” meaning that untreated groundwater meets primary drinking water criteria. This is good news for a state in which 42% of its residents use groundwater for their water supply. However, the study still highlights the importance of testing private wells, which are not regulated like public water supplies.

In more than half of the samples, naturally occurring iron and manganese exceeded secondary drinking water criteria. These criteria are nonenforceable and set for aesthetic purposes, such as taste or odor. However, according to USGS, manganese and excess iron could be linked to developmental delays in children. Radon gas was also a problem in the northwest and eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Radon gas may increase the risk of lung cancer when it accumulates indoors due to running water. Find more water quality data.