State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM9
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM43
Hard · 121–180 PPM64
Very hard · 181+ PPM53
State water index
West Virginia water hardness
Search 179 indexed communities and 219 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median regional evidence
141PPM
Hard
Indexed range 17.8–414 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 219
- Cities
- 179
- Matched utilities
- 284
- Counties
- 52
Understanding West Virginia
Why local comparisons matter here
West Virginia's Appalachian ridges, valleys, plateaus, mine-influenced watersheds, rivers, and fractured bedrock create strongly local water settings.
In this index, hard is the largest category, covering 64 of 169 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 141 PPM, but the full indexed range is 17.8–414 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 77%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 99%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 15%
79
Low-confidence hardness profiles
41
Research-comparison eligible profiles
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Surface water
- 189
- Groundwater
- 84
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 11
Highest medians
Highest eligible city medians
- 1. Inwood345 PPM
- 2. Martinsburg244 PPM
Lowest medians
Lowest eligible city medians
- 1. Martinsburg244 PPM
- 2. Inwood345 PPM
City directory
Explore West Virginia by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
179 cities · 219 ZIP profiles
179 cities found
Page 1 of 8
Albright
Preston County · 1 ZIP
87PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Alderson
Greenbrier County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Alum Creek
Kanawha County · 2 ZIPs
—
No regional sample3 active records
Anmoore
Harrison County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Arthurdale
Preston County · 2 ZIPs
168PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Athens
Mercer County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bartley
Mcdowell County · 1 ZIP
109PPM regional
Single regional value1 active record
Beaver
Raleigh County · 1 ZIP
114PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Beckley
Raleigh County · 1 ZIP
114PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Beech Bottom
Brooke County · 1 ZIP
240PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Belington
Barbour County · 1 ZIP
31PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Belmont
Pleasants County · 1 ZIP
145PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Belva
Nicholas County · 2 ZIPs
114PPM regional
Single regional value5 active records
Benwood
Marshall County · 1 ZIP
278PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Berwind
Mcdowell County · 1 ZIP
148PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Birch River
Nicholas County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bluefield
Mercer County · 1 ZIP
389PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bradshaw
Mcdowell County · 1 ZIP
117PPM regional
Single regional value1 active record
Brandywine
Pendleton County · 1 ZIP
295PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Brenton
Wyoming County · 1 ZIP
93PPM regional
Single regional value2 active records
Bridgeport
Harrison County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Buckhannon
Upshur County · 1 ZIP
31PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Burlington
Mineral County · 1 ZIP
145PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Burnsville
Braxton County · 2 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
County comparison
Highest regional-evidence county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer County | 401 PPM | 388.5–414 | 3 |
| Berkeley County | 297 PPM | 238–344.5 | 8 |
| Pendleton County | 274 PPM | 253–295 | 2 |
| Lincoln County | 268 PPM | 268–268 | 2 |
| Wayne County | 268 PPM | 268–268 | 7 |
| Cabell County | 268 PPM | 122–268 | 6 |
| Greenbrier County | 255 PPM | 169–255 | 6 |
| Mason County | 247 PPM | 232.5–247 | 3 |
| Brooke County | 240 PPM | 133–245 | 4 |
| Monroe County | 227 PPM | 227–227 | 2 |
| Marion County | 210 PPM | 138–220.5 | 5 |
| Marshall County | 201 PPM | 141–298 | 5 |