Monongalia County, West Virginia: drinking water report. Monongalia County sits in north-central West Virginia, anchored by Morgantown along the
Monongalia County sits in north-central West Virginia, anchored by Morgantown along the Monongahela River. The county's roughly 110,000 residents draw water from the Monongahela River system through utilities like Morgantown Utility Board and smaller systems serving communities including Westover, Star City, and Granville. Much of the surrounding area relies on private wells drilled into the region's sandstone and shale geology.
West Virginia's water quality challenges stem from decades of extractive industry. Coal mining operations have left a legacy of acid mine drainage throughout the Monongahela watershed, periodically introducing heavy metals into surface water. More recently, natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation has raised questions about groundwater contamination risks, though direct links remain difficult to document. The state's aging infrastructure compounds these concerns, with lead service lines still present in older neighborhoods of Morgantown and surrounding municipalities.
PFAS contamination patterns across Appalachia suggest Monongalia County faces exposure risks similar to other industrial areas. The EPA's UCMR5 testing cycle detected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in numerous West Virginia systems, particularly those drawing from rivers that pass through manufacturing zones or former military sites. The Monongahela River travels through Pennsylvania industrial areas before reaching Morgantown, making source water protection an ongoing priority. Private well owners face additional uncertainty, as these systems receive no routine testing for emerging contaminants.
The county's position downstream from multiple states creates a complex monitoring situation. Agricultural runoff from upstream watersheds introduces nitrates and pesticides into the water supply. Treatment plants work to remove these contaminants, but seasonal variations in river conditions can affect finished water quality. Lead and copper rule violations have appeared in West Virginia systems statewide, reflecting the infrastructure challenges that come with older housing stock and limited municipal budgets for pipe replacement.
Well water users should test annually for basic contaminants and consider expanded testing for PFAS and heavy metals given the regional geology and industrial history. Municipal customers can request recent water quality reports from their utility and pay attention to notice requirements when violations occur. Check your water for current data on your specific address, review the water filter guide for treatment options suited to your contamination concerns, access the detailed report for full analysis, or visit the West Virginia state page for broader context on water issues across the region.