Cynthiana, IN Water Safety: 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for Cynthiana by IN authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How Cynthiana Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Cynthiana Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 84% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.48 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Cynthiana
Residential water in Cynthiana, IN is supplied by 3 separate utilities — not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 3 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cynthiana, Indiana (population ~784), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 4,447 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Cynthiana — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cynthiana: B (72/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Cynthiana water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Cynthiana
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47612 | B | Owensville Water Works | 2,148 |
All ZIP Codes in Cynthiana
- 47612 [B]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Cynthiana
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Old Is Cynthiana's Housing Stock?
With 84% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1944 places Cynthiana's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era — and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in Cynthiana were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cynthiana: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Cynthiana, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity — the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Cynthiana are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$1,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 38% below the Indiana average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Cynthiana
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Wherever 84% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Cynthiana — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cynthiana, IN