Water systems across Lexington produce average compliance results for KY overall - pockets with documented violations exist, and the variation between areas makes checking the specific system serving a given address the most useful step for residents here.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Lexington

We track water quality and home safety data for 39 ZIP codes in Lexington, Kentucky, covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 321,882 people.

No EPA violations have been recorded across any ZIP codes in Lexington - an excellent indicator of water quality.

Average Home Safety Score: C (55/100)

Water sources: Surface water.

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0090 mg/L
• 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: 48/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 14%
• 8 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:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Lexington:

• 465 flood insurance claims on record
• $5,622,943 total paid out
• $12,092 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
• 10 of 39 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 39 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

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

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Lexington

• 40502 [C]
• 40503 [D]
• 40504 [D]
• 40505 [C]
• 40506 [D]
• 40507 [C]
• 40508 [C]
• 40509 [C]
• 40510 [C]
• 40511 [C]
• 40512 [D]
• 40513 [C]
• 40514 [C]
• 40515 [D]
• 40516 [C]
• 40517 [C]
• 40522 [D]
• 40523 [D]
• 40524 [C]
• 40526 [D]
• 40533 [D]
• 40536 [D]
• 40544 [D]
• 40546 [D]
• 40550 [D]
• 40555 [D]
• 40574 [C]
• 40575 [D]
• 40576 [D]
• 40577 [D]
• 40578 [D]
• 40579 [D]
• 40580 [D]
• 40581 [D]
• 40582 [D]
• 40583 [D]
• 40588 [D]
• 40591 [D]
• 40598 [D]

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lexington has an average Home Safety Score of 55/100 (grade C) across 39 ZIP codes. No EPA violations have been recorded. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does Lexington have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Lexington is 0.0090 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 49% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Lexington at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 465 flood insurance claims in Lexington ZIP codes, with an average payout of $12,092. 10 of 39 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

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.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

For most of Lexington's housing stock, construction occurred after 1986 - when lead solder in plumbing was federally prohibited. The median build year of 1983 broadly reflects that newer profile.

1983

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Lexington 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.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Lexington

0.009

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Lead risk in Lexington appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. 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.

Flood & Climate Risk in Lexington

FEMA data shows 0% of Lexington's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 465 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.

465

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~23

Est. Claims/Year

Lexington has a moderate flood history with 465 FEMA claims. 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.

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.