Shelbyville, KY Water Safety: 81/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Shelbyville hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in KY with few health-based violations on file.
How Shelbyville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Shelbyville Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,150 per household.
Water Systems Serving Shelbyville
Across Shelbyville, KY, residential water comes from 3 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 6 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Shelbyville, Kentucky (population ~31,763), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 93,308 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Shelbyville — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Shelbyville: B (81/100)
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
Shelbyville water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 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): 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40065 | B | Shelbyville Water & Sewer Commission | 23,760 |
| 40066 | B | Shelbyville Water & Sewer Commission | 23,760 |
All ZIP Codes in Shelbyville
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.
Shelbyville: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The household financial picture for Shelbyville homeowners is proportionally favorable — addressing documented issues claims a small slice of equity, and the cost-to-value ratio puts this area well within the manageable tier.
Remediation costs in Shelbyville are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,150–$3,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 70% above the Kentucky average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Shelbyville
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 Shelbyville 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Shelbyville
18 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Shelbyville, and 50% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Shelbyville has a moderate flood history with 18 FEMA claims averaging $6,665 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>$2,150</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 Shelbyville, KY