Mc Henry, KY Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Although much of Mc Henry meets baseline drinking water standards, some KY-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look — particularly for older housing stock.
How Mc Henry Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Mc Henry Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 41% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
Water Systems Serving Mc Henry
With one provider handling most of Mc Henry's residential supply in KY, water service accountability is concentrated in a single utility among the 1 system on record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mc Henry, Kentucky (population ~238), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 16,511 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Mc Henry — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mc Henry: 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
Mc Henry water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Mc Henry
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42354 | C | OHIO COUNTY WATER DISTRICT | 16,511 |
All ZIP Codes in Mc Henry
- 42354 [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.
How Old Is Mc Henry's Housing Stock?
With 41% 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
What does a median build year of 1998 mean for water safety in Mc Henry? It means the housing stock straddles two key plumbing thresholds: the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in copper plumbing, and the pre-1970 era when lead pipes were commonly installed for service lines. A meaningful share of homes predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating varied risk levels across the city's housing inventory.
Most homes in Mc Henry 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.
Mc Henry: Remediation Cost in Perspective
What should Mc Henry property owners understand before approaching remediation at this cost-to-value tier? That the equity share is elevated enough to treat this as a formal financial decision — one where knowing the full scope and prioritizing documented issues by urgency shape the outcome more than any single variable, given where this market falls on the remediation-share scale.
At 2.1% of home value, remediation costs in Mc Henry represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $800–$2,600. Home values here are 50% below the Kentucky average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Mc Henry
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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 41% of Mc Henry stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Mc Henry
Taken together, Mc Henry's 3 NFIP flood insurance claims and 100% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Mc Henry has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $5,613 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>$1,600</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 Mc Henry
- 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 41% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mc Henry, KY