Mortons Gap, KY Water Safety: 75/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Mortons Gap, safety indicators for tap water remain above the KY median — documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
How Mortons Gap Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Mortons Gap Water
- Homes built before 1986: 68% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Mortons Gap
Residential water in Mortons Gap, KY is supplied by 2 separate utilities — not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 2 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mortons Gap, Kentucky (population ~746), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 3,193 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Mortons Gap — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mortons Gap: B (75/100)
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
Mortons Gap water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Mortons Gap
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42440 | B | Earlington Water & Sewer | 1,708 |
All ZIP Codes in Mortons Gap
- 42440 [B]
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 Mortons Gap
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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Mortons Gap, where the median build year is 1965, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Mortons Gap 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Mortons Gap Homeowners
Is remediation financially manageable for Mortons Gap homeowners? At a moderate equity share, generally yes — with deliberate budgeting ahead of time.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Mortons Gap. The estimated $800–$2,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 34% below the Kentucky average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Mortons Gap
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.
Locally, 68% of Mortons Gap homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Mortons Gap
Although Mortons Gap's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 2 claims and FEMA maps place 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Mortons Gap has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $1,574 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mortons Gap, KY