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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality scores for 30 cities in Kentucky
Across the 30 Kentucky water systems we track, the average water quality score is 81/100 — 9 points above the U.S. national average of 72/100. 77% of Kentucky cities (23 of 30) score above that national benchmark, and 13 earn a Grade A for clean, low-contaminant tap water.
The contaminants most commonly flagged in Kentucky water systems are disinfection byproducts (surface-water chlorination), lead (older service lines) and turbidity (river sediment). See the full breakdown in our Kentucky water quality rankings or compare against the cities with the best water quality in America.
See the top 20 cities with the cleanest, safest drinking water
Complete water quality rankings for every city in Kentucky
24,046 residents
21,625 residents
19,611 residents
31,180 residents
17,236 residents
16,523 residents
28,129 residents
28,816 residents
37,086 residents
24,865 residents
15,157 residents
18,153 residents
72,294 residents
633,045 residents
19,134 residents
60,183 residents
31,709 residents
34,585 residents
28,602 residents
14,394 residents
322,570 residents
28,676 residents
19,254 residents
40,181 residents
31,394 residents
32,721 residents
14,150 residents
17,282 residents
19,591 residents
13,567 residents
Kentucky relies more heavily on surface water than most states, drawing from the Ohio River and numerous reservoirs. This makes disinfection byproducts and seasonal turbidity the state's most common water quality challenges, alongside lead service lines in older cities and runoff in agricultural and former coal-mining regions.
Based on our analysis of 30 cities in Kentucky, the average water quality score is 81/100. 6 cities have water quality scores below 70, indicating potential concerns that residents should be aware of. The highest-rated city is Bardstown with a score of 46/100, while Radcliff has the most room for improvement at 97/100.
6 of the 30 Kentucky cities we analyzed score below 70/100. If your city is one of them, a certified filter matched to your local contaminants is the fastest way to reduce exposure. For lead and PFAS, look for an NSF 53 certified filter or a reverse osmosis system.
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The Ohio River supplies Louisville and many northern Kentucky communities, while reservoirs and rivers serve much of the rest of the state. Lexington draws from the Kentucky River. Eastern Kentucky's mountainous coal country relies on a mix of small surface and groundwater systems, some with infrastructure challenges.
These contaminants have been detected in various Kentucky water systems
The Kentucky Division of Water regulates public drinking water under federal EPA standards and assists small and rural systems with compliance and infrastructure. The state monitors disinfection byproducts closely given its reliance on surface water and has begun PFAS sampling.
Because most Kentuckians drink treated surface water, disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes can be elevated in some systems. Lead is a concern in older cities including Louisville and Covington. Small eastern Kentucky systems can face turbidity and infrastructure-related issues.
Kentucky residents concerned about disinfection byproducts or chlorine taste should use an activated-carbon filter. Homes built before 1986 should test for lead and consider an NSF 53 filter. Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report for trihalomethane levels, which can vary seasonally with river conditions.
Most Kentucky cities have tap water that meets EPA safety standards. With an average score of 81/100 across 30 cities we analyzed, Kentucky generally has good water quality. However, water quality varies by location, so check your specific city's report.
The most common water quality concerns in Kentucky include disinfection byproducts (surface-water chlorination), lead (older service lines), turbidity (river sediment). These contaminants can come from natural sources, industrial activities, or aging infrastructure. Review your city's specific report to see which contaminants affect your area.
Whether you need a water filter depends on your specific location and health concerns. With 6 cities in Kentucky showing elevated contaminant levels, residents in those areas may benefit from filtration. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI to remove the specific contaminants found in your area.
Public water systems in Kentucky are required to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) to residents. You can usually find your report on your water utility's website, request it by phone, or access it through the EPA's database. Our city-level reports above summarize key information from these official sources.
Lead can be present in Kentucky water, primarily from older plumbing infrastructure. Homes built before 1986 may have lead pipes or lead solder. While water treatment plants remove lead, it can leach into water from service lines and home plumbing. Check your city's specific report for lead testing data, and consider having your tap water tested if you live in an older home.
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water systems across the United States, including in Kentucky. These chemicals are associated with industrial sites, military bases, and firefighting foam use. The EPA has set new PFAS limits effective 2024. Check individual Kentucky city reports for PFAS testing results in your area.
Based on our analysis, Bardstown has the highest water quality score in Kentucky at 46/100 (Grade F). However, "best" depends on your specific health concerns. View our Best Water Quality in Kentucky page for a complete ranking.
Public water systems in Kentucky are required by the EPA to test water regularly. Testing frequency depends on the contaminant: bacteria testing occurs daily to weekly, while chemical contaminants may be tested quarterly or annually. Results are published in annual Consumer Confidence Reports. Our site aggregates this data from EPA's SDWIS database.
Compare water quality across counties and find data for your area