Columbia, KY: 2 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Columbia Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 55% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
Columbia's Water Providers
Residential addresses in Columbia, KY are served by 3 primary water providers out of 3 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Columbia, Kentucky (population ~16,108), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 54,389 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Columbia water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42728 | — | 2 | 1 | Columbia/adair Utilities District |
All ZIP Codes in Columbia
- 42728 - 2 violations ⚠
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.
What's in Columbia's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Columbia Infrastructure Age
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 Columbia, the median build year of 1988 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 Columbia 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Columbia
The equity share of documented remediation in Columbia is high - a cost-to-value ratio that places this market in the elevated tier and means most homeowners are weighing a financial decision where scoping by urgency, mapping costs against household budget, and knowing what assistance options exist are practical steps that can materially improve outcomes.
At 2.2% of home value, remediation costs in Columbia represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,000–$4,000. Home values here are 10% below the Kentucky average.
Columbia: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 55% of the Columbia inventory was built in that earlier era - a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Columbia: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Columbia contains 1 flood insurance claim. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $37,186. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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>$3,000</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Columbia, KY