Lost Creek, KY Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Although much of Lost Creek meets baseline drinking water standards, some KY-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look — particularly for older housing stock.
How Lost Creek Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Lost Creek Water
- Homes built before 1986: 44% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Lost Creek
Residential addresses in Lost Creek, KY are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Lost Creek, Kentucky (population ~1,220), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 9,772 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Lost Creek — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lost Creek: C (55/100)
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
Lost Creek water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Lost Creek
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41348 | C | BREATHITT CO WATER DISTRICT | 5,068 |
All ZIP Codes in Lost Creek
- 41348 [C]
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.
Housing & Infrastructure in Lost Creek
With 44% 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
Two regulatory milestones define plumbing-era risk in residential housing: 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines, and 1986, when lead solder was banned from new copper plumbing. A median build year of 1981 places Lost Creek in the middle zone between those thresholds — with a meaningful share of housing predating both cutoffs. The distribution shown above breaks out those eras explicitly, clarifying where concentrated risk sits across the residential inventory.
Most homes in Lost Creek 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Lost Creek Homeowners
Property values and remediation costs in Lost Creek combine to produce a high equity share — the financial burden here is significant.
At 9.5% of home value, remediation costs in Lost Creek represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,200–$3,300. Home values here are 84% below the Kentucky average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Lost Creek
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.
44% of Lost Creek housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Lost Creek
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Lost Creek accumulating 22 claims and carrying 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Lost Creek has a moderate flood history with 22 FEMA claims averaging $39,067 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.
What You Can Do in Lost Creek
- 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 44% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lost Creek, KY