Bell County, Kentucky
11 ZIP codes · Avg score 58/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring across Bell County's 11 ZIP codes paints a mid-range picture — solid compliance in some zones, documented concerns in others; most violations on record are concentrated in specific prior years rather than spread evenly across the full compliance history, and the overall county grade has held steady in the middle tier without major shifts in either direction.
How Bell County Compares
How Bell County Compares
Bell County scores 3 points below the Kentucky state average (61/100) and 10 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Bell County, Kentucky
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,588, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.322% avg pipe failure probability, 10% of ZIPs at high risk
51.5% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Bell County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2025 with 6 violations. Past 5 years: 14 total (14 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,588
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
11,719 housing units in Bell County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Bell County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Bell County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Bell County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knox County Utility Commission | 8,313 | 4 |
| 2 | PINEVILLE WATER SYSTEM | 16,573 | 4 |
| 3 | Bell County Forestry Camp | 275 | 4 |
| 4 | Fonde Water System | 65 | 4 |
| 5 | WHITLEY CO WATER DISTRICT | 9,825 | 0 |
7 total water systems serve Bell County.
All ZIP Codes in Bell County
11 ZIP codes tracked in Bell County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40977 | Pineville | 71 | B | 4 (2 health) | $84K |
| 2 | 40965 | Middlesboro | 68 | C | 0 | $85K |
| 3 | 40763 | Siler | 63 | C | 0 | $52K |
| 4 | 40995 | Trosper | 63 | C | 0 | — |
| 5 | 40813 | Calvin | 55 | C | 0 | $163K |
| 6 | 40902 | Arjay | 55 | C | 0 | — |
| 7 | 40856 | Miracle | 53 | D | 0 | $82K |
| 8 | 40940 | Frakes | 53 | D | 0 | $45K |
| 9 | 40955 | Ingram | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 10 | 40958 | Kettle Island | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 11 | 40939 | Fourmile | 50 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Bell County
Strictly editorial — no paid placements influence which guides appear; the selection draws on NSF certifications and EPA detection records for water systems serving this county.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 51.5% of homes built before 1978
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Bell County, Kentucky
Overview
Bell County in Kentucky covers 11 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (58/100).
1 of 11 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Kentucky water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.