Arsenic in Drinking Water in West Virginia
What residents of West Virginia need to know about arsenic in drinking water — including natural geological sources, private well risk, which utilities have documented violations, and how to remove arsenic from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, USGS · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is arsenic in drinking water a concern in West Virginia?
Yes. West Virginia has significant arsenic concerns from coal mining legacy — acid mine drainage from Appalachian coal seams releases arsenic from pyrite-bearing rock across a large portion of the state. The southern and central West Virginia coalfields have extensive abandoned mine networks that continue to leach arsenic into streams and groundwater decades after mining ceased. Additionally, some natural arsenic occurs in the state's bedrock geology.
Where does arsenic come from in West Virginia's water?
Coal mine drainage from abandoned and active mines in West Virginia's Appalachian coalfields is the primary arsenic pathway. Pyrite oxidation in coal seams releases sulfuric acid and arsenic into drainage that enters streams and groundwater. The southern coalfield counties (McDowell, Mingo, Logan, Wyoming, Boone, Lincoln) and central coalfield counties (Nicholas, Webster, Raleigh, Fayette) have the most extensive acid mine drainage impacts.
What should West Virginia residents know?
Southern and central West Virginia private well owners near abandoned coal mines face significant arsenic risk from mine drainage. West Virginia DHHR monitors public water systems, but private wells — common in rural coalfield communities — are unregulated. Coalfield communities already face multiple environmental and public health challenges; arsenic from mine drainage is an ongoing concern.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL | 10 µg/L (10 ppb) |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary source | Coal mine acid drainage — pyrite oxidation in Appalachian coalfields releases arsenic to streams and groundwater |
| Coal counties at risk | McDowell, Mingo, Logan, Wyoming, Boone, Lincoln, Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, Webster |
| Environmental justice | Economically disadvantaged coalfield communities face legacy arsenic exposure with limited treatment resources |
| State regulator | West Virginia DHHR — Drinking Water |
| Health effects | Bladder, lung, skin cancer; cardiovascular; diabetes risk |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis or activated alumina; iron/manganese oxidation filters also effective for iron-rich mine drainage water |
Why Arsenic Matters in West Virginia
West Virginia's coalfield arsenic problem is an ongoing environmental justice issue. Decades of coal mining across the southern Appalachian counties have left hundreds of abandoned mines that continue to generate acid mine drainage rich in arsenic, iron, manganese, and sulfate. Rural communities in the coalfields — many of which are economically disadvantaged — rely on private wells that receive no arsenic regulation. The same communities that have experienced the economic decline of coal now face the environmental legacy of that industry through contaminated groundwater. West Virginia DHHR has limited resources for private well programs.
West Virginia Arsenic Program
West Virginia DHHR monitors arsenic under federal SDWIS. West Virginia's Appalachian geology includes arsenic-bearing coal seams and sulfide minerals, and the state has documented arsenic in private wells in the eastern coalfields. Industrial mining and chemical manufacturing add anthropogenic arsenic to some surface and groundwater. Private well owners in coal-bearing counties should test for arsenic.
West Virginia Utilities With Arsenic Violation Records
The utilities listed below have at least one arsenic violation on record in EPA's SDWIS database. Violations may be open or resolved — see individual utility pages for current status and risk level.
How Does Arsenic Get Into Drinking Water?
Arsenic in drinking water is almost always naturally occurring — it leaches from arsenic-bearing rocks and minerals into groundwater over time. New England granite, Southwest volcanic geology, and Upper Midwest glacial aquifers are the primary high-risk formations. It has no taste, odor, or color.
Full arsenic overview — geology maps, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Private well owners in southern West Virginia coalfield counties — McDowell, Mingo, Logan, Wyoming, Boone, Lincoln, Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, and Webster counties — face the highest arsenic risk from mine drainage. These communities face multiple environmental health challenges and often lack resources for point-of-use treatment.
Private well owners near mining districts or agricultural areas
Residents in states with documented volcanic or geothermal geology
Long-term consumers of water from small groundwater systems
Households in homes built before 1960 with older well casings
Residents whose well water has never been tested for arsenic
Anyone living in a state where bedrock wells are common
How to Check Your Situation in West Virginia
- 1
Identify your water source. If you use a public utility, use the ZIP lookup on this page to find your system and check its compliance record.
- 2
If on public water, review your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for arsenic monitoring data. The MCL is 10 ppb — your report should show recent test results.
- 3
If on a private well, order an arsenic test from a West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources-certified laboratory. A basic arsenic test costs $15–$40. The state agency website maintains a certified lab list.
- 4
Test your well at the tap — not just at the wellhead. The entire water distribution system within your home can affect water quality.
- 5
If your test shows arsenic above 5 ppb, install certified treatment immediately. If above 10 ppb, do not use the water for drinking or cooking until treatment is installed.
- 6
Retest after installing treatment to confirm it is working as certified. Replace filter media on the manufacturer's schedule — an exhausted filter may not perform as rated.
Treatment Options for Arsenic
Boiling does not remove arsenic — it concentrates it. Standard activated carbon filters (Brita, etc.) do not effectively remove arsenic. Certified treatment is required.
NSF/ANSI Standard 58 — Reverse Osmosis
RO systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58 remove 85–95% of arsenic. Under-sink installation. Most effective for removing multiple contaminants simultaneously. Replace membranes and pre-filters on schedule.
Activated Alumina Filters
Activated alumina is specifically designed for arsenic and fluoride removal. Point-of-use or whole-house options available. Must be certified by NSF International or WQA for arsenic reduction. Requires periodic media regeneration or replacement.
Iron/Manganese Oxidation Filters
Effective for arsenic in iron-rich well water, which is common in the Midwest and New England. Oxidation converts dissolved iron and arsenic to a form that can be filtered out. Best when arsenic is co-occurring with high iron levels.
What does NOT work for arsenic
Standard activated carbon filters (Brita, refrigerator filters, most pitcher filters) do NOT effectively remove arsenic. Boiling concentrates arsenic. Water softeners do not remove arsenic. Only use products with NSF certification specifically for arsenic reduction.
Take Action Now
If you use a private well in West Virginia, test for arsenic — especially if you are in a region with granite, volcanic, or sedimentary geology. A basic arsenic test costs $15–$40 at a state-certified lab.
Public water users: check your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for arsenic results. The EPA MCL is 10 ppb — any detection warrants attention.
If arsenic is detected above 10 ppb (or even below it, given MCLG is zero), install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system for drinking and cooking water.
Standard carbon filters do NOT remove arsenic — do not rely on a Brita or refrigerator filter for arsenic protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
Arsenic — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with arsenic records
West Virginia State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
West Virginia Well Water Guide
Testing, risks & certified labs for private wells
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 85–95% of arsenic
Best Arsenic Filter Guide
What actually works (carbon doesn't)
PFAS in Drinking Water
The 'forever chemical' contamination overview
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Find Your Utility
State Regulator
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources ↗