Manitou, KY Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Manitou's water quality grade in KY reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Manitou Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Manitou Water
- Homes built before 1986: 35% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Manitou
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Manitou, KY's residential water connections out of 4 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Manitou, Kentucky (population ~1,460), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 38,686 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Manitou — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Manitou: C (63/100)
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
Manitou water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Manitou
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42436 | C | HANSON WATER SYSTEM | 2,157 |
All ZIP Codes in Manitou
- 42436 [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 Manitou
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
The story of Manitou's housing stock is one of layered development — neighborhoods built in different decades, each carrying the plumbing standards of their era. The median build year of 1996 reflects that layered character. Before 1986, lead solder was standard in copper plumbing; before 1970, lead pipes were commonly used for service lines. A substantial portion of the pre-1986 homes visible in the distribution above still carry the plumbing materials of those earlier standards — creating a risk environment that the city-wide aggregate water data doesn't fully capture.
Most homes in Manitou 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 Manitou Homeowners
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Manitou is moderate — worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Manitou. The estimated $1,100–$3,400 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 18% above the Kentucky average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Manitou
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 35% pre-rule share in Manitou keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Manitou
Manitou's NFIP claim count stays on the lower side of the range, suggesting flood exposure that merits baseline awareness rather than active mitigation planning. Water-quality implications of flooding are minimal when events are infrequent and limited in scale.
Manitou has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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>$2,100</strong> remediation cost per household.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Manitou
- 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 35% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Manitou, KY