Gordon, KY Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Gordon, EPA data shows a below-average compliance pattern for KY — health-based violations are on file in several areas, and checking the specific system serving your address is a practical first step for concerned residents.
How Gordon Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Gordon Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 59% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
Gordon's Water Providers
Gordon, KY is covered by 2 major water utilities out of 2 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Gordon, Kentucky (population ~271), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 5,516 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Gordon — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gordon: D (53/100)
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
Gordon water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Gordon
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41819 | D | LETCHER COUNTY WATER DISTRICT | 2,673 |
All ZIP Codes in Gordon
- 41819 [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.
Gordon Infrastructure Age
With 59% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Gordon's median build year of 1986 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Gordon 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 Gordon
In Gordon, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Gordon are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 58% below the Kentucky average.
Gordon: 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.
Routinely in Gordon, where 59% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Gordon
- 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 59% 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 Gordon, KY