Owensboro, KY Water Safety: 78/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for Owensboro tell a largely clear story: violation rates are low, health-based exceedances are uncommon, and the city's grade puts it well above average within KY.
How Owensboro Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Owensboro Water
- Average lead level: 0.0014 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,300 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Owensboro
Water service in Owensboro, KY is split across 3 utilities out of 5 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Owensboro, Kentucky, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 87,437 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Owensboro — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Owensboro: B (78/100)
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
Owensboro water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42301 | B | Owensboro Municipal Utilities | 60,473 |
| 42302 | B | Owensboro Municipal Utilities | 60,473 |
| 42303 | B | Owensboro Municipal Utilities | 60,473 |
| 42304 | B | Owensboro Municipal Utilities | 60,473 |
All ZIP Codes in Owensboro
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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Owensboro Homeowners
When remediation costs are measured against Owensboro home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier — addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in Owensboro are relatively low compared to home values. The $600–$2,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 23% above the Kentucky average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Owensboro
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.
Lead risk in Owensboro appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Owensboro
Owensboro's flood exposure sits in the moderate range: 290 NFIP claims on record and 50% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones. Residents with private wells or older infrastructure have reasonable grounds to factor flood timing into their water quality awareness.
Owensboro has a moderate flood history with 290 FEMA claims averaging $10,773 per payout. 50% 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>$1,300</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 Owensboro, KY