Kentucky Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Kentucky, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Lyon County Water District has the highest PFAS in Kentucky at 51.2 ppt (13x the EPA limit). Liberty Water Works has the highest lead at 26 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Kentucky
Public water systems in Kentucky with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lyon County Water District | Kuttawa · 6,744 served | 51.2 | 2 | 13x |
| 2 | Harrison Co Water Assoc | Cynthiana · 16,736 served | 47.9 | 7 | 12x |
| 3 | Cynthiana Municipal Water Works | Cynthiana · 7,263 served | 37 | 4 | 9x |
| 4 | Caldwell County Water District | Princeton · 6,000 served | 30.6 | 1 | 8x |
| 5 | Simpson County Water District | Bowling Green · 8,946 served | 27.2 | 1 | 7x |
| 6 | Big Sandy Water District | Catlettsburg · 13,044 served | 25 | 1 | 6x |
| 7 | Ashland Water Works | Ashland · 44,402 served | 24 | 1 | 6x |
| 8 | Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority | Hopkinsville · 41,350 served | 23 | 3 | 6x |
| 9 | Georgetown Municipal Water Service | Georgetown · 44,608 served | 23 | 7 | 6x |
| 10 | Buffalo Trail Water Assoc | Mayslick · 4,514 served | 22 | 5 | 6x |
| 11 | Whitley Co Water District | Williamsburg · 9,825 served | 20 | 6 | 5x |
| 12 | East Pendleton Water District | Falmouth · 5,515 served | 18.8 | 7 | 5x |
Highest Lead Levels in Kentucky
Community water systems in Kentucky with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liberty Water Works | Liberty · 2,302 served | 26 | 1.7x over |
| 2 | Munfordville Water Dept | Bonnieville · 2,109 served | 15 | within |
| 3 | Caveland Environmental Authority, Inc. | Cave City · 3,264 served | 14 | within |
| 4 | London Utility Commission | London · 8,855 served | 14 | within |
| 5 | Barlow Water System | Lacenter · 1,040 served | 14 | within |
| 6 | Western Lewis Rectorville Water District | Maysville · 6,534 served | 14 | within |
| 7 | Wickliffe Municipal Water System | Wickliffe · 1,264 served | 14 | within |
| 8 | Ashland Water Works | Ashland · 44,402 served | 14 | within |
| 9 | North Mercer Water District | Salvisa · 9,775 served | 14 | within |
| 10 | Barkley Lake Water District | Cadiz · 14,284 served | 13 | within |
| 11 | Judy Water Association | Mt. Sterling · 5,539 served | 12 | within |
| 12 | Dry Ridge Water Works Commission | Dry Ridge · 2,400 served | 12 | within |
Most EPA Violations in Kentucky
Community water systems in Kentucky with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martin Water Department | Martin · 1,167 served | 43 |
| 2 | Providence Water Works | Providence · 4,538 served | 40 |
| 3 | Union County Water District | Morganfield · 6,117 served | 33 |
| 4 | Mountain Water Dist | Pikeville · 44,057 served | 28 |
| 5 | Martin Co Water District #1 | Inez · 9,003 served | 24 |
| 6 | Reid Village Water District | Mt Sterling · 2,545 served | 22 |
| 7 | Big Sandy Water District | Catlettsburg · 13,044 served | 21 |
| 8 | Uniontown Water & Sewer Dept | Uniontown · 1,496 served | 20 |
| 9 | New Haven Municipal Water Works | Hodgenville · 1,357 served | 19 |
| 10 | Clay Water Works | Clay · 1,287 served | 19 |
| 11 | Sharpsburg Water District | Sharpsburg · 4,332 served | 18 |
| 12 | Greenup Water System | Greenup · 12,193 served | 18 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Kentucky?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Lyon County Water District in Kuttawa had the highest recorded PFAS level in Kentucky at 51.2 ppt - about 13x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Kentucky water system has the highest lead levels?
Liberty Water Works in Liberty had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Kentucky under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 26 ppb - 1.7x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Kentucky water system has the most EPA violations?
Martin Water Department in Martin has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Kentucky, with 43 violations.
Where does the Kentucky water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Kentucky Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Kentucky water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.