CITY REPORT KY HEALTH VIOLATIONS: 6

Lexington, KY: 6 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 67/100

39 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Lexington: C.

A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.

Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (6 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →

Lexington earns a C grade for KY; check the EPA record for the system that serves your address.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

39
ZIP Codes
6
Water Systems
3
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
C · 67
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
County Radon Potential (High)

What You Should Know About Lexington Water

  • Your city's water systems recorded 6 violations since 2021.
  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0004 mg/L.

Water Quality in Lexington

We track home safety signals for 39 ZIP codes in Lexington, Kentucky. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 16 ZIP codes and 6 water systems.

3 of 16 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (19%) have recorded EPA violations - 6 total, including 6 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: C (67/100)

Water sources: Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 6 3

Lead Risk

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0004 mg/L
  • 0 of 16 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
  • 49% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
  • 11% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
  • Median year built: 1983
  • Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
  • Lead exposure risk score: 28/100
  • Estimated lead service line probability: 14%
  • 2 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 49% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Lexington residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

146,738 total housing units across 39 ZIP codes:

Era Units Share
Pre-1940 10,163 7%
1940–1949 4,051 3%
1950–1959 13,053 9%
1960–1969 18,803 13%
1970–1979 21,415 15%
1980–1989 19,420 13%
1990–1999 24,273 17%
2000–2009 21,264 14%
2010–2019 13,560 9%
2020+ 736 1%

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Lexington:

  • 467 flood insurance claims on record
  • $5,661,179 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
  • 375 claims with payment data
  • 92 claims without reported payment fields
  • $15,096 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
  • Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: AE (A/V-family)
  • 11 of 16 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
  • Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

39 of 39 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.

The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
40502 67/100 C 0
40503 67/100 C 0
40504 67/100 C 0
40505 67/100 C 0
40507 67/100 C 0
40508 67/100 C 0
40509 67/100 C 0
40511 67/100 C 0
40515 67/100 C 0
40517 67/100 C 0

Areas Needing Attention

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
40514 65/100 C 2
40513 65/100 C 2
40510 65/100 C 2

What Lexington Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

  • Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
  • Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
  • Check your ZIP code - each area in Lexington has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

  • NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
  • NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
  • Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

  • Lexington is in a high-risk radon area
  • Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
  • If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

All ZIP Codes in Lexington

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Lexington, KY?

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Lexington has an average score of 67/100 (grade C) across 13 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 6 recorded EPA violations across 16 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 6 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

Does Lexington have lead in the water?

The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Lexington is 0.0004 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 16 ZIP codes with known action-level status are served by a system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeded the EPA action level. About 49% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Lexington at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 467 flood insurance claim records in Lexington ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $15,096 among 375 claims with payment data. 92 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 16 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 11 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

Are there lead pipes in Lexington homes?

49% of Lexington housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 11% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 14%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Lexington water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). Across 16 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 3 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Housing & Infrastructure in Lexington

1983
Median Build Year
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

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

1983
Median Year Built
N/A
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
0%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Lexington were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Lexington

0.0004
mg/L average of reported water-system 90th-percentile lead results (the 0.015 action level applies to each system's result, not to this average)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

Available area-level lead records for Lexington do not determine the lead level at an individual tap. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Historical NFIP Claim Context in Lexington

467
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$15,096
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
69%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Lexington contains 467 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $15,096. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 69% 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.

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.

What You Can Do in Lexington

  1. Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
  3. 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 Lexington, KY

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Lexington, KY?
Lexington has an average Home Safety Score of 67/100 (Grade C) under ZipCheckup model 4.0.0, an area-level model that draws on EPA water compliance records, PFAS screening, EPA radon zones, and annual EPA air quality data; see the methodology page for how inputs and coverage are handled. 6 violations appear in EPA records for water systems mapped to these ZIP codes. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How many violations are on record for water systems serving Lexington?
EPA records list 6 EPA violations, including 6 health-based violations for Lexington water systems. These water-system violations are shown for 39 mapped ZIP codes.
Does Lexington water have lead?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Lexington is 0.0004 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average. EPA's health goal for lead is zero. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Lexington?
Our records map 6 water systems to 39 ZIP codes in Lexington. The related population figure in our data is approximately 321,882 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Lexington, KY: 6 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 67/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ky/lexington/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-ky-lexington,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Lexington, KY: 6 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 67/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ky/lexington/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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