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Kentucky Water Quality
345
Utilities in database
5.0M
Residents served
32%
On private wells
2
Key contaminants tracked
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.
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
Nitrates
Nitrate (NO₃⁻) is a nitrogen-containing compound that forms naturally through the decomposition of organic matter. At elevated concentrations — almost always from human activity — nitrate interferes with the blood's ability to carry oxygen. The United States produces over 23 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer annually, making agricultural runoff the dominant source of nitrate contamination.
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.
Kentucky Water FAQs
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Data source: Utility data from EPA SDWIS. 345 active community water systems ingested. CCR contaminant data ingestion in progress.
Last updated: 2026-04-22