Upton, KY: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water compliance in Upton, KY ranks below average — documented gaps in multiple service areas.
How Upton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Upton Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 53% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
Water Systems Serving Upton
Residential water in Upton, KY is supplied by 3 separate utilities — not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 5 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Upton, Kentucky (population ~2,948), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 122,776 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Upton — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Upton: 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
Upton water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Upton
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42784 | D | Hardin County Water District #2 | 76,326 |
All ZIP Codes in Upton
- 42784 [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.
How Old Is Upton's Housing Stock?
With 53% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Upton sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1988 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Upton 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.
Upton: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Is remediation financially manageable for Upton homeowners? At a moderate equity share, generally yes — with deliberate budgeting ahead of time.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Upton. The estimated $2,000–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 5% above the Kentucky average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Upton
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 53% of Upton stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Upton
A moderate NFIP record for Upton — 2 insurance claims paired with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones — points to a flood history where water-quality pathways have likely been periodically relevant.
Upton has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims. 100% 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>$3,000</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 Upton
- 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 53% 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 Upton, KY