Oak Grove, KY Water Safety: 75/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current tracking cycles, Oak Grove records above-average water quality outcomes for KY; compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards and no systemic failures across its water systems.
How Oak Grove Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Oak Grove Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 15% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
Oak Grove's Water Providers
Residential water in Oak Grove, KY is supplied by 3 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 4 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 Oak Grove, Kentucky (population ~9,646), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 67,396 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Oak Grove — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Oak Grove: 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
Oak Grove water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Oak Grove
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42262 | B | Oak Grove Utilities Office | 8,762 |
All ZIP Codes in Oak Grove
- 42262 [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.
Oak Grove Infrastructure Age
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
Lead exposure in tap water isn't just a function of what water utilities deliver — it's also shaped by the plumbing inside individual homes. Structures built before 1986 may contain lead-soldered copper joints, and homes built before 1970 face an additional risk from lead pipes themselves. Oak Grove's median build year of 2009 suggests the housing stock is broadly weighted toward the safer post-1986 era, but the age distribution shown above makes clear that the pre-1986 share of the inventory still represents a meaningful fraction worth understanding for anyone in an older home.
Most homes in Oak Grove 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Oak Grove
In Oak Grove, the equity share of documented remediation is meaningful enough to move the household financial perspective from routine maintenance into deliberate budgeting territory — the cost-to-value ratio is moderate, and most homeowners benefit from mapping the full scope against available budgets before committing.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Oak Grove. The estimated $1,500–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 2% below the Kentucky average.
Oak Grove: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Aggregate sampling rests beneath the federal action threshold here, while only 15% of Oak Grove housing predates the solder rule change.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Oak Grove: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood history in Oak Grove spans 10 NFIP claims and 100% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Oak Grove has a moderate flood history with 10 FEMA claims averaging $45,828 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>$2,700</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 Oak Grove, KY