State Hub
Kentucky Water Quality
345
Utilities in database
5.0M
Residents served
2
With open violations
230
PFAS monitored
Quick Answer
Kentucky public drinking water is served by 345 EPA-tracked water systems, providing service to approximately 5.0 million residents through public utilities. 2 of those systems currently have open health-based violations on record in the EPA federal database. 230 systems have official PFAS monitoring records from the EPA UCMR 5 program (2023–2025). About 32% of KY residents use private wells, which fall outside federal utility compliance monitoring.
2 Kentucky water systems have open health-based violations recorded in EPA SDWIS. An open violation means a contaminant exceeded a federal limit and the violation has not been formally resolved in the federal database. Check individual utility pages for current status.
Open Health-Based Violations in Kentucky
Records sourced from EPA SDWIS. A record may be under review or resolved at the utility level but not yet updated in federal records. Water Utility Report does not determine whether water is safe to drink.
Drinking Water in Kentucky
Kentucky has 345 community water systems serving approximately 5.0 million residents. Primary water sources include surface water. The most commonly reported contaminants include disinfection byproducts, nitrates. 32% of Kentucky residents rely on private wells. DWR holds primary enforcement authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Highest Risk Utilities
Kentucky systems with open health-based violations in EPA records.
Safest Large Utilities
Kentucky systems with no open health violations serving 10,000+ residents.
Utilities in Kentucky
276–300 of 345Hindman Mun Water Works
KY0600198 · 1,883 served
White Plains Water System
KY0540465 · 1,871 served
Graves Co Water Dist - South Graves
KY0420405 · 1,844 served
Wurtland Water Department
KY0450479 · 1,815 served
Symsonia Water District
KY0420423 · 1,810 served
Kevil Water Department
KY0040223 · 1,782 served
Sebree Water Department
KY1170388 · 1,743 served
Kentucky American Water - Eastern Rockca
KY1020288 · 1,732 served
Elkhorn City Water Dept
KY0980120 · 1,723 served
Earlington Water & Sewer
KY0540108 · 1,708 served
Augusta Regional Wtp
KY0120013 · 1,690 served
Worthington Municipal Water Works
KY0450478 · 1,673 served
North Logan Water District
KY0710318 · 1,649 served
Water Service Corp of Kentucky
KY0530077 · 1,633 served
Irvington Water System
KY0140206 · 1,627 served
Brodhead Water Works
KY1020889 · 1,613 served
Hardin Water Department
KY0790173 · 1,606 served
Elkhorn Water District
KY0370137 · 1,590 served
Cloverport Water & Sewer System
KY0140079 · 1,560 served
Island Water Department
KY0750207 · 1,512 served
Uniontown Water & Sewer Dept
KY1130434 · 1,496 served
Crab Orchard Water District
KY0690089 · 1,488 served
Centertown Water System
KY0920070 · 1,485 served
Black Mtn Utility/wallins
KY0480572 · 1,485 served
Fountain Run Water District #1
KY0860141 · 1,485 served
Key Contaminant Concerns in Kentucky
These contaminants appear most frequently in Kentucky utility records or pose elevated risk in this region based on EPA data.
Nitrates
Nitrate (NO₃⁻) is a nitrogen-containing compound that forms naturally through the decomposition of organic matter. At elevated concentrations — almost always caused by human activity — nitrate is converted in the digestive system to nitrite, which then reacts with hemoglobin to form methemoglobin, a form of hemoglobin that cannot carry oxygen. In the body, nitrite also reacts with amines in food to form N-nitroso compounds (nitrosamines) — known carcinogens classified by the IARC as Group 2A (probable human carcinogens). The United States applies over 23 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer annually, making agricultural runoff the dominant source of nitrate contamination in U.S. groundwater.
EPA limit: 10 mg/L
DBPs
When utilities add chlorine to water to kill pathogens, it reacts with dissolved organic matter — leaves, algae, soil — to produce disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Over 600 DBPs have been identified. The EPA regulates two groups: total trihalomethanes (TTHMs, including chloroform) and haloacetic acids (HAA5). DBP levels tend to be highest in surface water systems and in warm months when organic matter is elevated.
EPA limit: 80 µg/L (TTHMs) / 60 µg/L (HAA5)
Independent Water Testing
Find a certified lab in Kentucky
Utility compliance records show what water systems report to the EPA. An independent test from a certified laboratory confirms what's actually in your tap water. Kentucky labs can test for PFAS, lead, nitrates, bacteria, and dozens of other contaminants.
Explore Water Quality in Kentucky
Hindman Mun Water Works
Violation history, PFAS records, and official source links
White Plains Water System
Violation history, PFAS records, and official source links
Graves Co Water Dist - South Graves
Violation history, PFAS records, and official source links
PFAS monitoring records — Kentucky
230 water systems in Kentucky with EPA UCMR 5 records
Active drinking water violations
2 open health-based violations on record — view official EPA SDWIS data
Lead in Kentucky drinking water
State-specific lead data, violation utilities, and testing guidance
PFAS in Kentucky drinking water
State-specific PFAS data, MCL context, and treatment options
Certified water testing labs in Kentucky
Labs certified for PFAS (EPA 533/537.1), lead, and bacteria testing
Water treatment options
Reverse osmosis, activated carbon, and filtration guides with cost ranges
Data sources and methodology
How WaterUtilityReport.com sources and validates official EPA data
Common Questions About Kentucky Drinking Water
Does Kentucky drinking water have PFAS?
230 Kentucky water systems have EPA UCMR 5 PFAS monitoring records (2023–2025)
Which Kentucky water utilities have open violations?
2 systems have open health-based violations in EPA SDWIS — search for your utility
How do I test my water in Kentucky?
State-certified labs for PFAS (EPA 533/537.1), lead, nitrate, and bacteria testing
What treatment removes PFAS from KY tap water?
Reverse osmosis removes PFAS, lead, arsenic, and nitrates — cost, maintenance, and NSF certification explained
What do Kentucky PFAS records tell me about my water?
EPA limits, health context, and what UCMR 5 detection above MRL means for your water
How is Kentucky water quality data sourced here?
EPA SDWIS violations, UCMR 5 PFAS records, and CCR data — sources, accuracy notes, and limitations
Kentucky Water FAQs
Data sources: Utility compliance and violation data from EPA SDWIS (Safe Drinking Water Information System). PFAS monitoring records from EPA UCMR 5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5, 2023–2025). Contaminant data from EPA and ATSDR public references. This page summarizes public records — it is not a compliance determination. Methodology →
Last updated: 2026-04-22