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: consider a certified water filter (14 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Water systems across Bowling Green produce average compliance results for KY overall - pockets with documented violations exist, and the variation between areas makes checking the specific system serving a given address the most useful step for residents here.
How Bowling Green Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Bowling Green Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 16 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0037 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 42% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,575 per household.
Water Systems Serving Bowling Green
Multiple utilities divide Bowling Green, KY's water service - 3 leading providers among 6 on the federal register.
- 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 lead level (90th percentile): 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
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0800 | Other | 18 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 10 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 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. 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
Roughly balanced between older and newer construction, Bowling Green shows a median build year of 1991 - a mid-range figure that places meaningful amounts of the residential inventory on both sides of the 1986 federal plumbing-solder ban.
Most homes in Bowling Green were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Bowling Green: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Because property values in Bowling Green comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Bowling Green are relatively low compared to home values. The $775–$2,525 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 89% above the Kentucky average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Bowling Green
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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet - and where 42% of Bowling Green homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
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 <strong>$1,575</strong> 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. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Contaminant 0800 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Bowling Green's water.
- 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