West Virginia contains a large volume of water. The majority of waters in West Virginia are unassessed, but the majority of those that are assessed fail at least one quality standard. This Science & Technology Note provides information on West Virginia’s ground- and surface water quality, how environmental water quality is measured, and policy options for environmental waters.

Environmental Waters in West Virginia

West Virginia contains nearly 55,000 miles of streams and rivers, 400 lakes, and 6,000 underground storage pools. The state receives an average of 44 inches of precipitation per year, and is considered water-rich. 

In West Virginia, water used by community drinking water systems, water where trout live and spawn, water used for power production, and recreational waters all have unique quality requirements. Although water quality variations occur naturally, many water contaminants are derived from human activity. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) has primary responsibility for testing West Virginia’s waters, but some responsibilities for water monitoring and improvement are shared between the WVDEP and other jurisdictions. For example, primary responsibility for the Ohio River falls to the 8-state coalition making up the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, and monitoring and improvement responsibilities are shared between West Virginia and Virginia for the New River. West Virginia is also involved in the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. Common projects to improve water quality include habitat protection, pollution control, and contaminant remediation. 

West Virginia’s Groundwater

Groundwater in West Virginia is difficult to evaluate. The complex combination of rocks making up the state means that groundwater supply and quality varies greatly, and needs to be studied at a local scale. Groundwater testing in northwest West Virginia revealed high concentrations of arsenic, manganese, and nitrates, while groundwater in southern regions of the state had high levels of sodium, iron, silica, and barium. Groundwater in southern West Virginia was also often dangerously acidic. Eastern West Virginia’s groundwater is often high in nitrates. 

Abandoned mines are an additional source of groundwater in the state. At least 27 community water systems in West Virginia draw water from abandoned mines, however, water found in abandoned mines can be at higher risk for contamination. Groundwater present in mine pools typically has higher levels of metals than non-mine pool groundwater. Additionally, groundwater within 500 meters of oil and gas wells contained higher levels of radium, bromide, and ethane. 

West Virginia’s Surface Waters

Surface water includes streams, creeks, rivers, reservoirs, ponds, and lakes. The WVDEP uses visual, chemical, and aquatic life measurements to determine surface water quality. In West Virginia, the most common contributors to poor water quality include agricultural runoff, leaks in public or private wastewater systems, and disruptions caused by construction and mining. Data from 2024 shows that 9% of West Virginia’s streams, creeks, and rivers were unimpaired, or that they met all indicators measured. Approximately 35% were impaired in some way, but the majority of these had plans in place to improve their water quality. Nearly 60% were unassessed, likely due to resource constraints at the WVDEP.