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
326–345 of 345Barlow Water System
KY0040020 · 1,040 served
Graves Co Water Dist - Hardeman
KY0420172 · 1,006 served
Smithland Water & Sewer
KY0700401 · 989 served
Butler Water Works
KY0960051 · 980 served
Brooksville Utility
KY0120044 · 977 served
Calhoun Water Works
KY0750055 · 966 served
Wingo Water & Sewer Department
KY0420475 · 965 served
Trenton Water Works
KY1100428 · 950 served
Fordsville Water District
KY0920136 · 927 served
Drakesboro Water Department
KY0890106 · 888 served
Village of Buckhorn
KY0971007 · 875 served
Benham Water Plant
KY0480028 · 855 served
Wheelwright Utility Commission
KY0360463 · 834 served
Adairville Water Works
KY0710001 · 787 served
Mt Olivet Water Department
KY1010297 · 775 served
Black Mtn Utility/sukey Ridge
KY0480461 · 740 served
Slaughters Water Works
KY1170400 · 659 served
Livingston Municipal Water Works
KY1020253 · 529 served
Black Mtn Utility/louellen
KY0480498 · 520 served
Milburn Water District
KY0200284 · 500 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
Barlow Water System
Violation history, PFAS records, and official source links
Graves Co Water Dist - Hardeman
Violation history, PFAS records, and official source links
Smithland Water & Sewer
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