Is Morgantown, WV Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Morgantown tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 105 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Morgantown Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Morgantown Compares
Morgantown's water is 24% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 56% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within West Virginia, it ranks #5 of 6 cities (9% below the state average of 116 PPM). Among cities (50k-100k), Morgantown ranks #167 of 258 for hardness.
What Morgantown's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 105 PPM - Low Concern
Morgantown's water is firmly in the moderate range at 105 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Morgantown's water has TTHMs at 41.9 ppb and HAA5 at 22.4 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Morgantown's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 41.9 ppb (52% of the legal limit, but 279x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 22.4 ppb (37% of the legal limit, but 224x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.0525 ppb, which is 2.6x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 105 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 170 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 0.4 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.1 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.367 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Morgantown Homes
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.1 mg/L chlorine, many Morgantown residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Morgantown
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request City of Morgantown Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Morgantown's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Morgantown Water
Water Source: Monongahela River (Surface Water)
Population Served: 64,644
Hardness: 105 PPM (6.1 grains per gallon)
Morgantown's drinking water comes from surface sources — Monongahela River. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 65,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Morgantown Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Morgantown Water in Morgantown, WV, including ZIP codes:
15315, 15316, 15320, 15322, 15325, 15327, 15333, 15334, 15338, 15344, 15346, 15348, 15349, 15351, 15357, 15359, 15362, 15368, 15370, 15401, 15410, 15413, 15415, 15416, 15420, 15421, 15429, 15433, 15435, 15436, 15437, 15439, 15440, 15443, 15444, 15445, 15447, 15449, 15450, 15451, 15454, 15458, 15459, 15460, 15461, 15463, 15467, 15468, 15470, 15472, 15474, 15475, 15476, 15478, 15484, 21531, 26201, 26210, 26215, 26218, 26219, 26222, 26224, 26228, 26229, 26230, 26234, 26236, 26237, 26238, 26241, 26250, 26253, 26254, 26257, 26259, 26260, 26267, 26269, 26271, 26275, 26276, 26278, 26280, 26283, 26285, 26287, 26289, 26292, 26293, 26301, 26302, 26306, 26323, 26330, 26338, 26339, 26343, 26347, 26348, 26349, 26354, 26361, 26366, 26369, 26372, 26374, 26376, 26377, 26378, 26385, 26386, 26404, 26405, 26408, 26410, 26416, 26422, 26424, 26425, 26426, 26431, 26435, 26437, 26438, 26440, 26444, 26447, 26448, 26451, 26452, 26463, 26501, 26502, 26504, 26505, 26506, 26507, 26508, 26519, 26520, 26521, 26524, 26525, 26527, 26531, 26534, 26537, 26541, 26542, 26543, 26544, 26546, 26547, 26554, 26555, 26559, 26560, 26561, 26562, 26563, 26566, 26568, 26570, 26571, 26572, 26574, 26575, 26576, 26578, 26582, 26585, 26586, 26587, 26588, 26590, 26591, 26705, 26716, 26764
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Morgantown to Other West Virginia Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Morgantown Water
Is Morgantown tap water safe to drink?
Where does Morgantown's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Morgantown?
What is the hardness of Morgantown water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in Morgantown's water?
Is chromium-6 in Morgantown's water?
Why does Morgantown water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Morgantown tap water straight from the faucet?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Morgantown Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 105 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Morgantown's water data.