Thousandsticks, KY Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Thousandsticks, EPA compliance records fall well below KY averages — documented health-based violations affect multiple service areas, and the city's sustained low grade reflects a persistent pattern across reporting cycles.
How Thousandsticks Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Thousandsticks Water
- Homes built before 1986: 52% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Thousandsticks
Supply infrastructure in Thousandsticks, KY runs through a single dominant provider — the main entity among 1 tracked system through which rate decisions, infrastructure work, and federal compliance are managed.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Thousandsticks, Kentucky (population ~510), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 9,614 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Thousandsticks — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Thousandsticks: 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
Thousandsticks water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Thousandsticks
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41766 | D | HYDEN LESLIE CO WATER DISTRICT | 9,614 |
All ZIP Codes in Thousandsticks
- 41766 [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.
Housing & Infrastructure in Thousandsticks
With 52% 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 Thousandsticks's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1984 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 Thousandsticks 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 Thousandsticks Homeowners
Across Thousandsticks, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Thousandsticks are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 42% below the Kentucky average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Thousandsticks
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.
Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 52% of Thousandsticks homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Thousandsticks
- 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 52% 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 Thousandsticks, KY