Hawesville, KY Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities in Hawesville have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods — the city's above-average grade in KY reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Hawesville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Hawesville Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 58% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
Water Systems Serving Hawesville
In Hawesville, KY, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 2 leading providers out of 2 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Hawesville, Kentucky (population ~4,709), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 36,880 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Hawesville — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Hawesville: B (83/100)
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
Hawesville water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42348 | B | Hawesville Water Works | 3,225 |
All ZIP Codes in Hawesville
- 42348 [B]
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 Hawesville's Housing Stock?
With 58% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Hawesville is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1970 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Hawesville 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.
Hawesville: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Given current Hawesville property values, the remediation share falls in the moderate tier — an indicator that the household financial perspective here calls for advance planning rather than dismissal, with most homeowners positioned to address documented issues through deliberate budgeting rather than needing to treat remediation as a significant equity event or financial emergency.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Hawesville. The estimated $1,200–$3,400 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 17% below the Kentucky average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Hawesville
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 58% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Hawesville.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Hawesville
Multiple flood events have been recorded for Hawesville through the NFIP — 2 claims in total, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
Hawesville has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $7,811 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>$2,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Hawesville, KY