Clarkson, KY Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Clarkson, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for KY.
How Clarkson Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Clarkson Water
- Homes built before 1986: 47% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Clarkson
Water delivery in Clarkson, KY is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 3 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Clarkson, Kentucky (population ~5,025), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 46,319 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Clarkson — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Clarkson: C (63/100)
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
Clarkson water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Clarkson
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42726 | C | GRAYSON COUNTY WATER DISTRICT | 20,033 |
All ZIP Codes in Clarkson
- 42726 [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 Clarkson
With 47% 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
Plumbing risk in residential housing tracks directly to construction era: pre-1986 homes may have lead-soldered copper joints; pre-1970 homes may have lead pipes outright. Clarkson's median build year of 1982 places the city in a moderate risk zone where neither era dominates the housing inventory. Understanding which side of the 1986 threshold a specific property falls on — and whether it predates 1970 — is the most actionable starting point for a homeowner trying to assess their own tap water exposure.
Most homes in Clarkson 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Clarkson Homeowners
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Clarkson is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Clarkson are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 29% above the Kentucky average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Clarkson
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 47% pre-rule share in Clarkson keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Clarkson
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Clarkson has accumulated 3 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Clarkson has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $17,048 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 Clarkson
- 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 47% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Clarkson, KY