Phyllis, KY Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Systems across Phyllis show elevated violation counts against KY benchmarks — the low safety grade reflects that ongoing compliance pattern.
How Phyllis Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Phyllis Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 66% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
Water Systems Serving Phyllis
At present, 2 utilities serve the bulk of Phyllis, KY's residential water connections out of 2 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Phyllis, Kentucky (population ~1,018), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 45,780 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Phyllis — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Phyllis: D (53/100)
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
Phyllis water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Phyllis
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41554 | D | Mountain Water District | 44,057 |
All ZIP Codes in Phyllis
- 41554 [D]
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.
How Old Is Phyllis's Housing Stock?
With 66% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Phyllis's median build year of 1973 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Phyllis 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.
Phyllis: Remediation Cost in Perspective
At current valuations, Phyllis sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Phyllis are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% below the Kentucky average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Phyllis
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.
Older stock in Phyllis represents 66% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Phyllis
- 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 66% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Phyllis, KY