Middlesboro, KY: 1 Violation - Home Safety 83/100
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Middlesboro: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Water utilities in Middlesboro have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods - the city's above-average grade in KY reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Middlesboro Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Middlesboro Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 68% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
Water Systems Serving Middlesboro
2 water systems are tracked federally in Middlesboro, KY. The top 2 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Middlesboro, Kentucky (population ~11,698), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 28,595 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Middlesboro: B (83/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Middlesboro water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40965 | B | 1 | 0 | Water Service Corporation of Kentucky |
All ZIP Codes in Middlesboro
- 40965 [B] - 1 violation
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Key Contaminants Detected in Middlesboro
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Middlesboro's Housing Stock?
With 68% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Middlesboro is predominantly an older city - a median build year of 1975 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Middlesboro were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Middlesboro: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Homeowners in Middlesboro are working with a moderate equity share for documented remediation - the commitment deserves a line in the household budget, not dismissal.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Middlesboro. The estimated $800–$2,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 43% below the Kentucky average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Middlesboro
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.
68% of Middlesboro 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.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Middlesboro
Historical NFIP data for Middlesboro contains 328 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $21,211. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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. The <strong>$1,600</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Middlesboro, KY