Glens Fork, KY: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike better-scoring cities in KY, Glens Fork records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its service areas — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Glens Fork Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Glens Fork Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 52% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
Water Systems Serving Glens Fork
Throughout Glens Fork, KY, water comes from one of 2 primary utilities out of 2 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Glens Fork, Kentucky (population ~507), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 29,515 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Glens Fork — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Glens Fork: D (40/100)
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
Glens Fork water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Glens Fork
- 0 ZIP codes 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42741 | D | Columbia/adair Utilities District | 22,113 |
All ZIP Codes in Glens Fork
- 42741 [D]
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 Glens Fork's Housing Stock?
With 52% 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
The character of Glens Fork's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1985 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Glens Fork 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.
Glens Fork: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Glens Fork property market, documented remediation claims a moderate slice of typical equity — real but budgetable.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Glens Fork. The estimated $800–$1,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 24% below the Kentucky average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Glens Fork
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.
52% — that captures the slice of Glens Fork housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Glens Fork
- 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 52% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Glens Fork, KY