Oil Springs, KY Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Unlike higher-rated cities in KY, Oil Springs carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Oil Springs Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
What You Should Know About Oil Springs Water
- Homes built before 1986: 61% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Oil Springs
Residential water in Oil Springs, 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 Oil Springs, Kentucky (population ~867), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 33,279 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Oil Springs — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Oil Springs: C (55/100)
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
Oil Springs water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Oil Springs
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41238 | C | PAINTSVILLE MUNICIPAL WATER WORKS | 24,354 |
All ZIP Codes in Oil Springs
- 41238 [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 Oil Springs
With 61% 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 Oil Springs, where the median build year is 1973, 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 Oil Springs 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 Oil Springs Homeowners
Within the Oil Springs market, documented remediation claims a significant slice of typical equity — the financial weight here is material.
At 3.8% of home value, remediation costs in Oil Springs represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,200–$3,300. Home values here are 61% below the Kentucky average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Oil Springs
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.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Oil Springs. 61% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Oil Springs
A moderate NFIP record for Oil Springs — 14 insurance claims paired with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones — points to a flood history where water-quality pathways have likely been periodically relevant.
Oil Springs has a moderate flood history with 14 FEMA claims averaging $33,415 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>$2,200</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 Oil Springs
- 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 61% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Oil Springs, KY