Bourbon County, Kentucky
5 ZIP codes · Avg score 52/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Bourbon County ranks below average for water safety, with health-based violations recorded across multiple of its 5 ZIP codes.
How Bourbon County Compares
How Bourbon County Compares
Bourbon County scores 9 points below the Kentucky state average (61/100) and 16 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Bourbon 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: $1,268, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.36% avg pipe failure probability, 40% of ZIPs at high risk
64% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2024–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Bourbon County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2025 with 3 violations. Past 5 years: 5 total (5 health-based).
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: $1,268
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
9,285 housing units in Bourbon 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 Bourbon County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Bourbon 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 Bourbon County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PARIS WATER WORKS | 14,139 | 4 |
| 2 | KENTUCKY-AMERICAN WATER CO | 299,501 | 2 |
| 3 | HARRISON CO WATER ASSOC | 16,736 | 2 |
| 4 | Kentucky American Water- Millersburg | 1,366 | 2 |
| 5 | Kentucky American Water - Eastern Rockca | 1,732 | 0 |
All ZIP Codes in Bourbon County
5 ZIP codes tracked in Bourbon County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40362 | Paris | 67 | C | 2 (1 health) | — |
| 2 | 40516 | Lexington | 60 | C | 0 | $250K |
| 3 | 40361 | Paris | 52 | D | 2 (1 health) | $217K |
| 4 | 40339 | Keene | 40 | D | 0 | $109K |
| 5 | 40357 | North Middletown | 40 | D | 0 | $95K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Bourbon County
Filtered against federal data, fitted to local risks.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 64% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- 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 Bourbon County, Kentucky
Overview
Bourbon County in Kentucky covers 5 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (52/100).
2 of 5 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.
What You Can Do
Bourbon County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
64% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.