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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
It depends on your utility. 1 of the 23 Kentucky water systems we grade from EPA records has a health-based violation in the last five years; the state averages 93/100 (5 above the national 88). Lowest graded: Georgetown (C). Highest: Bowling Green (A).
Kentucky's official certified-lab list, when to test well vs city water, typical lab prices, and how to take a first-draw lead sample.
Across the 23 Kentucky water systems we can grade from EPA records, the average score is 93/100 — 5 points above the U.S. national average of 88/100. 78% of graded Kentucky cities (18 of 23) score above that national benchmark, and 18 earn a Grade A. 1 city has at least one health-based EPA violation in the last five years. 7 cities are not graded because we have not yet matched them to an EPA water system.
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
53,601 residents
36,766 residents
35,266 residents
32,600 residents
31,705 residents
30,230 residents
29,823 residents
29,351 residents
26,302 residents
259,949 residents
52,153 residents
28,102 residents
23,760 residents
31,185 residents
669,042 residents
41,350 residents
60,473 residents
35,640 residents
44,402 residents
806,997 residents
65,004 residents
76,326 residents
44,608 residents
40,181 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
28,676 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
28,129 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
19,611 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
18,153 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
15,157 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
14,150 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
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.
Across the 23 Kentucky cities graded from EPA records, the average water quality score is 93/100. The highest-rated city is Bowling Green with a score of 100/100, while Georgetown has the most room for improvement at 71/100.
Kentucky cities average 93/100, but contaminants still vary at the tap and lead can leach from your own household plumbing after the water arrives. A certified filter removes trace contaminants and improves taste — here are two proven picks.
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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 we grade have tap water in good standing with EPA. With an average score of 93/100 across 23 graded cities, Kentucky generally has good water quality. However, water quality varies by utility, 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. Most Kentucky cities have water that meets EPA standards, though some residents prefer additional filtration for taste or extra protection. 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.
On EPA records, Bowling Green has the highest water quality score in Kentucky at 100/100 (Grade A). 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