Somerset, KY: 3 Violations — 65/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent monitoring cycles, Somerset tap water shows a mixed record for KY — several systems have documented violations alongside areas with clean compliance histories.
How Somerset Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Somerset Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Somerset
Residential water service in Somerset, KY is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 6 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Somerset, Kentucky (population ~43,079), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 95,575 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Somerset: C (65/100)
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
Somerset water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 3 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42501 | C | 1 | 0 | Somerset Water Service |
| 42502 | C | 1 | 0 | Somerset Water Service |
| 42503 | C | 1 | 0 | Somerset Water Service |
All ZIP Codes in Somerset
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 Somerset Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Somerset
With 50% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Somerset, where the median build year is 1985, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Somerset 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Somerset Homeowners
Although the Somerset remediation share is moderate, it remains reachable for most homeowners who plan for the expense in advance.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Somerset. The estimated $1,467–$2,933 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 33% above the Kentucky average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Somerset
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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 50% of Somerset stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Somerset
Taken together, Somerset's 26 NFIP flood insurance claims and 67% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Somerset has a moderate flood history with 26 FEMA claims averaging $30,161 per payout. 67% 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>$2,200</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 Somerset
- 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 Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Somerset's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 50% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Somerset, KY