Bowling Green, KY: 14 Health Violations - Home Safety 64/100
4 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Bowling Green: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (14 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →
Bowling Green earns a C grade for KY; check the EPA record for the system that serves your address.
How Bowling Green Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Bowling Green Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 16 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0037 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 42% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $550 per household.
Water Systems Serving Bowling Green
Among 6 systems linked to Bowling Green, KY, the 3 biggest by population served appear below.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Bowling Green, Kentucky, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 126,490 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 3 of 4 ZIP codes.
1 of 3 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (33%) have recorded EPA violations. 14 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bowling Green: C (64/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Bowling Green water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0037 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 3 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
4 of 4 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 18 | 1 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42101 | C | 16 | 14 | Bowling Green Municipal Utilities |
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42103 | C | Warren County Water District | 91,118 |
| 42104 | C | Warren County Water District | 91,118 |
All ZIP Codes in Bowling Green
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Key Contaminants Detected in Bowling Green
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Bowling Green's Housing Stock?
With 42% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
A citywide median of 1991 for construction says little about any single address in Bowling Green. Homes built before 1986, when federal amendments restricted the lead content allowed in new pipe, solder and flux, may contain plumbing materials with more lead, and later renovations may have replaced them. An inspection of the plumbing can identify the materials, and sending a tap water sample to an accredited laboratory measures lead.
Most homes in Bowling Green were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Bowling Green: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Estimated remediation for Bowling Green is a small fraction of median property value - one percent or less - though the ratio does not describe any single household.
Estimated remediation costs in Bowling Green can be compared with local home values. The $300–$1,150 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 89% above the Kentucky average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Bowling Green
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Bowling Green
Historical NFIP data for Bowling Green contains 114 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $23,225. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 33% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $550 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Bowling Green
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, listed in the water-quality records for Bowling Green: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 42% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Bowling Green, KY