Smiths Grove, KY: 14 Health Violations - Home Safety 57/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Smiths Grove: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (14 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →
Smiths Grove, KY holds a middle-tier grade; review the underlying water system records for the reasons behind it.
How Smiths Grove Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Smiths Grove Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 16 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.007 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 37% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
Water Systems Serving Smiths Grove
Among 5 systems linked to Smiths Grove, KY, the 3 biggest by population served appear below.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Smiths Grove, Kentucky (population ~7,189), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 150,437 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 14 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Smiths Grove: C (57/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Smiths Grove water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0070 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 18 | 1 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42171 | C | 16 | 14 | Warren County Water District |
All ZIP Codes in Smiths Grove
- 42171 [C] - 16 violations ⚠
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Key Contaminants Detected in Smiths Grove
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Smiths Grove's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
When a home in Smiths Grove was built matters for lead because federal rules adopted in 1986 limited how much lead new plumbing could contain; the local median build year is 1995. A median sits in the middle of a range, so some homes are older and some newer, and past repairs may have changed the pipes in either group. A plumber can identify the materials inside a home, and a lab test measures what reaches the tap.
Most homes in Smiths Grove were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Smiths Grove: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low tier for Smiths Grove: remediation estimated at up to 1% of what homes are worth.
Estimated remediation costs in Smiths Grove can be compared with local home values. The $300–$1,500 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 16% above the Kentucky average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Smiths Grove
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Smiths Grove
Historical NFIP data for Smiths Grove contains 3 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $3,124. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $600 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Smiths Grove
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, listed in the water-quality records for Smiths Grove: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 37% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Smiths Grove, KY