Nelson County, Kentucky
7 ZIP codes · Avg score 52/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-04
State safety rankings put Nelson County near the bottom — 7 ZIP codes, below-average compliance.
How Nelson County Compares
How Nelson County Compares
Nelson 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: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Nelson 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: $759, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.355% avg pipe failure probability, 33% of ZIPs at high risk
59% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Nelson County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 9 violations. Past 5 years: 14 total (14 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: $759
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
16,584 housing units in Nelson 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 Nelson County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Nelson 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 Nelson County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bardstown Municipal Water Department | 31,185 | 6 |
| 2 | Taylorsville Water Works | 22,286 | 6 |
| 3 | MARION COUNTY WATER DISTRICT | 16,311 | 6 |
| 4 | North Nelson Water District | 13,365 | 6 |
| 5 | Bloomfield Water & Sewer Department | 5,771 | 6 |
10 total water systems serve Nelson County.
All ZIP Codes in Nelson County
7 ZIP codes tracked in Nelson County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40004 | Bardstown | 70 | B | 1 | $225K |
| 2 | 40008 | Bloomfield | 68 | C | 5 (2 health) | $229K |
| 3 | 40012 | Chaplin | 53 | D | 0 | $209K |
| 4 | 40046 | Mount Eden | 53 | D | 0 | $215K |
| 5 | 40020 | Fairfield | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 6 | 40048 | Nazareth | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 7 | 40107 | Boston | 40 | D | 0 | $193K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Nelson 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 — 59% 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 Nelson County, Kentucky
Overview
Nelson County in Kentucky covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (52/100).
2 of 7 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
Nelson 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
59% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.