Forest Hills, KY Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Forest Hills, 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 Forest Hills Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Forest Hills Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 26% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
Water Systems Serving Forest Hills
Supply infrastructure in Forest Hills, KY runs through a single dominant provider — the main entity among 1 tracked system through which rate decisions, infrastructure work, and federal compliance are managed.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Forest Hills, Kentucky (population ~594), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 44,057 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Forest Hills — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Forest Hills: 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
Forest Hills water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Forest Hills
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41527 | C | MOUNTAIN WATER DIST | 44,057 |
All ZIP Codes in Forest Hills
- 41527 [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.
How Old Is Forest Hills's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The median home in Forest Hills was built in 2007, after the federal ban on lead solder in plumbing. Most of the housing stock postdates that cutoff, placing typical plumbing risk on the lower end — though any home built before 1986 still warrants individual testing.
Most homes in Forest Hills 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.
Forest Hills: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Forest Hills, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Forest Hills are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 12% above the Kentucky average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Forest Hills
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.
Confirming what flows from a specific faucet still requires a one-home draw, even where Forest Hills averages stay clean and the pre-rule housing share holds at 26%.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Forest Hills
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Forest Hills shows 13 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Forest Hills has a moderate flood history with 13 FEMA claims averaging $4,187 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 Forest Hills
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Forest Hills, KY