C53/100

Terra Alta Tap Water Quality: Is It Safe to Drink? (2026 Report)

Serving 3,181 residents · West Virginia

What's In Terra Alta's Tap Water?

Choose your water utility(2 serving Terra Alta)

Contaminants Tested

Exceed EPA Limits

Above EPA Goals

1 contaminant above EPA health goals

Contaminant	Detected	Limit (MCL)	Goal (MCLG)	Status
Lead (90th percentile)	0.003 mg/L	0.015 mg/L	0 mg/L	Above Goal

EPA Violation History

Violations (last 5yr)

Unresolved

Health-Related

TIER 3Resolved

Surface water treatment technique failure

When: July 1, 2025 – July 9, 2025Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: May 11, 2025 – July 7, 2025Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 2Resolved

Violation related to Consumer Confidence Report

When: February 21, 2025 – April 18, 2025Rule: Consumer Confidence RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: February 15, 2025 – March 25, 2025Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: February 15, 2025 – March 25, 2025Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: October 13, 2024 – March 25, 2025Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Missed required monitoring deadline

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: October 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: September 14, 2023 – November 9, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: August 13, 2023 – November 9, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Missed required monitoring deadline

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: August 1, 2023 – August 31, 2023Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Surface water treatment technique failure

When: October 1, 2022 – October 19, 2023Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Missed required monitoring deadline

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2022 – July 31, 2022Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Surface water treatment technique failure

When: July 1, 2022 – October 19, 2023Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: June 1, 2022 – August 31, 2022Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Missed required monitoring deadline

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: June 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: June 1, 2022 – August 31, 2022Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Exceeded the MCL for disinfection byproducts

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: December 12, 2021 – December 14, 2021Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: November 14, 2021 – December 14, 2021Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: November 14, 2021 – December 14, 2021Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: November 14, 2021 – December 14, 2021Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: November 14, 2021 – December 14, 2021Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: November 14, 2021 – December 14, 2021Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 2Resolved

Violation related to Consumer Confidence Report

When: October 1, 2021 – December 14, 2023Rule: Consumer Confidence RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Surface water treatment technique failure

When: October 1, 2021 – October 19, 2023Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: June 1, 2021 – August 31, 2021Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed to complete routine monitoring

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: June 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Missed required monitoring deadline

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: June 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: June 1, 2021 – August 31, 2021Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: June 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

Understanding violation severity

Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly

Water Utility Details

TERRA ALTA WATER WORKS

Population Served

1,856

Water Source

Groundwater Under Influence of Surface Water

System ID

WV3303917

ALPINE LAKE PUBLIC UTILITIES

Population Served

1,325

Water Source

Groundwater

System ID

WV3303921

Frequently Asked Questions About Terra Alta Water

Is Terra Alta tap water safe to drink?

Terra Alta, West Virginia tap water receives a grade of C (53/100), which is considered fair. 0 contaminant(s) exceed EPA maximum contaminant levels and 80 violation(s) are on record. Residents should consider using an NSF-certified water filter to reduce contaminant exposure.

What contaminants are in Terra Alta's water?

Of the 1 contaminants tested in Terra Alta's water supply, the most notable include Lead (90th percentile). No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 1 contaminant(s) exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs), which are non-enforceable targets set at levels with no known health risk.

Does Terra Alta have any water quality violations?

Yes, Terra Alta has 80 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2025. Violation types include Other, TT, MR. 2 of these are health-based violations, which are the most serious category.

Do I need a water filter in Terra Alta?

Terra Alta water meets EPA standards, so a filter is not strictly necessary. However, some residents prefer the added security of a water filter. EPA health goals (MCLGs) are stricter than legal limits and are set at levels with zero expected health risk. 1 contaminant(s) exceed these stricter goals.

Where does Terra Alta's tap water come from?

Terra Alta's drinking water is sourced from groundwater under influence of surface water and supplied by TERRA ALTA WATER WORKS and 1 other water system(s). The system serves approximately 3,181 people. Surface water sources include rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

How often is Terra Alta's water tested?

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), water utilities are required to regularly test for over 90 contaminants. Testing frequency varies by contaminant — some are tested monthly, others quarterly or annually. Terra Alta's water systems must report results to the EPA and publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The data on this page reflects the latest available EPA testing data.

How does Terra Alta's water compare to other cities in West Virginia?

Terra Alta's water quality score of 53/100 earns a grade of C, which is considered fair. This is a below-average score that indicates room for improvement. Visit our West Virginia state page to see how all cities in the state compare.

What should I do if I'm concerned about Terra Alta's water quality?

If you have concerns about Terra Alta's tap water, consider these steps: (1) Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for detailed local data. (2) Get your water independently tested through a state-certified laboratory. (3) Consider an NSF-certified water filter rated for the contaminants found in your area. (4) Contact your water utility (TERRA ALTA WATER WORKS) with specific questions. (5) Report water quality issues to your state drinking water program or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

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