Bear Branch, KY Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, Bear Branch, KY reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Bear Branch Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Bear Branch Water
- Homes built before 1986: 55% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Bear Branch
For most households in Bear Branch, KY, tap water comes from one provider — the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bear Branch, Kentucky (population ~508), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 9,614 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Bear Branch — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bear Branch: C (55/100)
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
Bear Branch water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Bear Branch
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41714 | C | HYDEN LESLIE CO WATER DISTRICT | 9,614 |
All ZIP Codes in Bear Branch
- 41714 [C]
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.
Housing & Infrastructure in Bear Branch
With 55% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Bear Branch, the median build year of 1986 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Bear Branch 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Bear Branch Homeowners
In Bear Branch, the equity share of documented remediation is meaningful enough to move the household financial perspective from routine maintenance into deliberate budgeting territory — the cost-to-value ratio is moderate, and most homeowners benefit from mapping the full scope against available budgets before committing.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Bear Branch. The estimated $800–$2,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 17% below the Kentucky average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Bear Branch
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 55% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Bear Branch.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Bear Branch
FEMA data shows 100% of Bear Branch's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 13 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Bear Branch has a moderate flood history with 13 FEMA claims averaging $3,728 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,600</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Bear Branch
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 55% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Bear Branch, KY