Richmond, KY: 2 Health Violations — 68/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike higher-rated cities in KY, Richmond carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Richmond Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Richmond Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Estimated remediation: $1,850 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Richmond
Richmond, KY draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 6 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Richmond, Kentucky (population ~65,030), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 395,714 people region-wide.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Richmond: C (68/100)
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
Richmond water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Richmond
- 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): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40475 | C | 1 | 1 | Richmond Utilities |
| 40476 | B | 1 | 1 | Richmond Utilities |
All ZIP Codes in Richmond
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.
Top Contaminants in Richmond Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Richmond Homeowners
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Richmond, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Richmond are relatively low compared to home values. The $900–$3,050 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 56% above the Kentucky average.
Flood & Climate Risk in Richmond
Flood activity in Richmond is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 59-claim record and 50% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Richmond has a moderate flood history with 59 FEMA claims averaging $31,923 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>$1,850</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 Richmond
- 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. Filters rated for Stage 2 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Richmond's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Richmond, KY