Pine Top, KY Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike better-scoring cities in KY, Pine Top records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its service areas — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Pine Top Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Pine Top Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 56% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
Water Systems Serving Pine Top
Throughout Pine Top, KY, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 3 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Pine Top, Kentucky (population ~271), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 11,581 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Pine Top — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Pine Top: 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
Pine Top water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Pine Top
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41843 | D | HINDMAN MUN WATER WORKS | 1,883 |
All ZIP Codes in Pine Top
- 41843 [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 Pine Top's Housing Stock?
With 56% 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
The character of Pine Top's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1986 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Pine Top 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.
Pine Top: Remediation Cost in Perspective
How does remediation fit within the broader financial picture for Pine Top homeowners? The equity share is moderate — large enough that treating it as a real planning consideration makes sense, and manageable enough that most homeowners have a clear path to addressing documented water and safety issues when they approach the commitment with deliberate advance budgeting rather than as an unplanned expense.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Pine Top. The estimated $0–$800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 79% below the Kentucky average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Pine Top
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Pine Top have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 56% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as 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 Pine Top
- 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 56% 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 Pine Top, KY