West Virginia Private Well Water Risk: Arsenic & Nitrate
These figures are USGS statistical estimates for private (domestic) wells in West Virginia. They describe the area's modeled risk — not any single well.
Quick answer: Yes — arsenic occurs naturally in West Virginia groundwater. USGS modeling estimates about 11,589 West Virginia residents rely on private wells with arsenic above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L. The highest modeled exposure is in Hampshire County (~1,452), Morgan County (~1,117), Berkeley County (~977). For nitrate, about 0.6% of West Virginia's ~431,000 private-well residents are modeled above the 10 mg/L limit. These are area estimates, not a test of your well — arsenic has no taste or smell, so only a certified lab test tells you your level.
This is a modeled probability for the area, not a measurement of your well. USGS statistical models estimate how many private wells in this area are likely to exceed the federal limit — they cannot tell you what is in your water. Two neighbors can have very different results. The only way to know your well is to test it.
Nitrate
0.6%
of the private-well population is modeled above the 10 mg/L nitrate limit
~2,520
people on wells estimated above the limit
~431,000
total residents on private wells statewide
Source: USGS machine-learning nitrate model, Ransom et al. (2022), domestic-well depth zone.
Find out what's actually in your well
West Virginia has one of the higher modeled arsenic exposures in the country — but that number is an area estimate, not your well. Arsenic, nitrate and coliform bacteria are the three most common private-well problems, and none of them has a taste or smell. A certified lab test checks all of them at once; the CDC and EPA recommend testing every well at least once a year.
Basic screening only. Confirm arsenic, nitrate and bacteria with a certified lab.
Find a certified drinking-water labAmazon links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Arsenic
Across West Virginia, an estimated ~11,589 people rely on private wells with modeled arsenic above the 10 µg/L EPA limit. The highest modeled exposure is in Hampshire County (~1,452 people).
Counties with the highest modeled arsenic exposure
| County | Est. well residents over arsenic limit | 90% range |
|---|---|---|
| Hampshire County | ~1,452 | 674–2,789 |
| Morgan County | ~1,117 | 524–2,145 |
| Berkeley County | ~977 | 536–1,730 |
| Mineral County | ~927 | 443–1,680 |
| Mercer County | ~772 | 359–1,531 |
| Greenbrier County | ~613 | 276–1,282 |
| Hardy County | ~611 | 293–1,152 |
| Summers County | ~455 | 205–947 |
| Monroe County | ~446 | 203–900 |
| Jefferson County | ~320 | 244–419 |
| Randolph County | ~309 | 139–634 |
| Pocahontas County | ~306 | 138–625 |
| Mingo County | ~253 | 180–358 |
| Pendleton County | ~231 | 108–451 |
| Preston County | ~185 | 97–353 |
| Wayne County | ~160 | 120–214 |
| Lincoln County | ~147 | 113–193 |
| Jackson County | ~139 | 107–182 |
| McDowell County | ~137 | 97–196 |
| Boone County | ~120 | 84–172 |
| Kanawha County | ~117 | 87–158 |
| Putnam County | ~113 | 88–145 |
| Wyoming County | ~112 | 82–155 |
| Grant County | ~100 | 49–184 |
31 additional West Virginia counties have lower modeled arsenic exposure (fewer than 100 estimated well residents over the limit). Of these, 23 have measured USGS well samples: Barbour, Brooke, Calhoun, Clay, Fayette, Gilmer, Hancock, Harrison, Lewis, Logan, Marshall, Mason, Monongalia, Nicholas, Raleigh, Ritchie, Roane, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Webster, Wetzel, Wood.
Source: USGS domestic-well arsenic model, Lombard et al. (2021); county population product (2017).
Measured well tests by county
The USGS has published laboratory results from wells in 45 West Virginia counties (at least 5 wells each). These are real measurements of other wells — domestic, public-supply and monitoring wells — not a test of yours. The tables rank counties by the share of sampled wells over each federal threshold.
Nitrate (as N): counties with the most wells > 10 mg/L (EPA MCL)
| County | Wells over | Median | Sampled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 23% | 4.7 mg/L | 93 wells |
| Berkeley County | 2% | 2.1 mg/L | 121 wells |
Manganese: counties with the most wells > 300 µg/L (EPA health advisory)
| County | Wells over | Median | Sampled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming County | 100% | 709 µg/L | 5 wells |
| Raleigh County | 63% | 588 µg/L | 8 wells |
| Barbour County | 60% | 420 µg/L | 5 wells |
| Nicholas County | 42% | 277 µg/L | 12 wells |
| Randolph County | 33% | 148 µg/L | 9 wells |
| Harrison County | 33% | 138 µg/L | 6 wells |
| Fayette County | 31% | 170 µg/L | 16 wells |
| Berkeley County | 26% | 13 µg/L | 93 wells |
| Morgan County | 26% | 106 µg/L | 82 wells |
| Preston County | 23% | 149 µg/L | 13 wells |
Source: USGS ScienceBase 5f36baa782cee144fb3873e8 (manganese, pH, arsenic) and McMahon et al. (2019), Environ. Sci. Technol. 53:29–38 (nitrate, iron); aggregated by county with Census 2020 boundaries. USGS well samples; not a test of your well.
Acidic well water in West Virginia (low pH)
17% of 797 USGS-sampled wells in West Virginia had pH below 6.5. Acidic water corrodes copper pipes and fixtures and can leach lead and copper into your tap water — the usual fix is a whole-house acid neutralizer (calcite for mildly acidic water, soda-ash injection for very low pH). Counties with the highest share of acidic wells:
| County | Wells below pH 6.5 | Median pH | Sampled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh County | 64% | 6.4 | 11 wells |
| Fayette County | 60% | 6.3 | 25 wells |
| Nicholas County | 54% | 6.5 | 13 wells |
| Logan County | 50% | 6.5 | 10 wells |
| Webster County | 44% | 6.6 | 9 wells |
| Grant County | 40% | 6.6 | 5 wells |
| Taylor County | 40% | 6.7 | 5 wells |
| Hardy County | 33% | 6.6 | 9 wells |
| Tyler County | 33% | 7.1 | 6 wells |
| Barbour County | 33% | 6.7 | 6 wells |
Source: USGS ScienceBase 5f36baa782cee144fb3873e8 (pH). Measured other wells, not a test of yours.
Match the filter to your test result
Carbon pitchers and faucet filters do not remove arsenic or nitrate. Reverse osmosis is the point-of-use fix; a whole-house system handles the rest of the home.
APEC ROES-50 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System
5-stage RO, ★ 4.7 — removes arsenic, nitrate, lead, fluoride and PFAS.
Check price on Amazon →Whole-house well water system
Treats every tap, shower and appliance — the right scale for sediment, iron, sulfur and bacteria on a private well.
Compare on Amazon →Waterdrop arsenic-reduction filters
Under-sink units tested for arsenic reduction — the point-of-use fix for a well over the limit.
Shop on Waterdrop direct →Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Re-test after installing to confirm the system is working.
West Virginia well water: FAQ
Is there arsenic in well water in West Virginia?
Yes. USGS modeling estimates about 11,589 people in West Virginia use private wells with arsenic above 10 µg/L, across 55 modeled counties. Arsenic comes from natural bedrock and varies well to well, even between neighbors, so a lab test is the only way to know your own level.
Which West Virginia counties have the most arsenic in well water?
By modeled number of well residents over the arsenic limit: Hampshire County (~1,452), Morgan County (~1,117), Berkeley County (~977). Counties with more private-well users rank higher, so a smaller county can still have a high share of affected wells.
How do I remove arsenic from well water in West Virginia?
Test first. If arsenic is present, a point-of-use reverse-osmosis system under the kitchen sink removes 90%+ of it; boiling does not remove arsenic (it concentrates it), and carbon pitchers and water softeners do not remove it either. Whole-house adsorptive arsenic media is used when levels are high. Re-test after installing and then annually.
Is nitrate a problem in West Virginia well water?
USGS models about 0.6% of West Virginia's private-well population (~2,520 people) above the 10 mg/L nitrate limit. Nitrate is highest in shallow wells near fertilized cropland, septic systems or livestock, and matters most for infants and pregnancy.
Do I need an acid neutralizer for my well in West Virginia?
Acidic well water turns up regularly in West Virginia. In USGS lab results from 797 wells across 45 West Virginia counties, 17% had pH below 6.5. The most acidic sampled counties are Raleigh County (64% of 11 wells), Fayette County (60% of 25 wells), Nicholas County (54% of 13 wells). You only need a neutralizer if your own well tests below about 6.5 — signs include blue-green stains on fixtures and pinhole leaks in copper pipe. A calcite (or calcite/Corosex) neutralizer tank handles mildly acidic water (roughly pH 6–6.5); very acidic water usually needs soda-ash injection. Test first-draw lead and copper too, since acidic water dissolves both from plumbing.
High manganese in West Virginia well water — what should I do?
In USGS lab results from 420 wells across 19 West Virginia counties, 21% were above the EPA's 300 µg/L health advisory for manganese and 45% were above the 50 µg/L level where it stains fixtures and laundry black or brown. Sampled counties with the highest share over the health advisory: Wyoming County (100% of 5 wells), Raleigh County (63% of 8 wells), Barbour County (60% of 5 wells). If your own test is over 300 µg/L, don't use the water for infant formula and use another source for drinking and cooking until it is treated — high manganese is linked to neurological effects, especially in babies and children. Boiling does not remove it. For the whole house, an oxidizing filter (greensand, Birm or air-injection) handles manganese, usually alongside iron; a water softener can remove low levels. For drinking water, a point-of-use reverse osmosis system reduces manganese at the kitchen tap. Retest after treatment to confirm it worked.