Least Reliable Water Systems in Kentucky — 2026

Out of 947 ZIP codes with data in Kentucky, these are the lowest-ranked areas for reliability score. See also: National Least Reliable Water Systems in America | All Kentucky Rankings

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	947
Lowest value	15/100
Median value	80/100
State	Kentucky

100 Lowest-Ranked ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Reliability Score	Safety Score
1	42081	Smithland	KY	15/100	53/100
2	42437	Morganfield	KY	15/100	58/100
3	42450	Providence	KY	15/100	58/100
4	42459	Sturgis	KY	15/100	51/100
5	40962	Manchester	KY	24/100	70/100
6	41501	Pikeville	KY	25/100	43/100
7	41502	Pikeville	KY	25/100	53/100
8	40855	Lynch	KY	27/100	82/100
9	40445	Livingston	KY	30/100	61/100
10	41311	Beattyville	KY	30/100	56/100
11	42256	Lewisburg	KY	30/100	62/100
12	41017	Ft Mitchell	KY	35/100	57/100
13	40383	Versailles	KY	39/100	47/100
14	40384	Versailles	KY	39/100	56/100
15	41537	Jenkins	KY	40/100	67/100
16	41840	Neon	KY	40/100	54/100
17	41129	Catlettsburg	KY	43/100	63/100
18	41339	Jackson	KY	43/100	63/100
19	42461	Uniontown	KY	43/100	65/100
20	41143	Grayson	KY	44/100	64/100
21	42345	Greenville	KY	45/100	67/100
22	41169	Russell	KY	47/100	74/100
23	42055	Kuttawa	KY	48/100	74/100
24	42337	Drakesboro	KY	48/100	76/100
25	40906	Barbourville	KY	49/100	68/100
26	41472	West Liberty	KY	50/100	74/100
27	42087	Wickliffe	KY	50/100	65/100
28	42754	Leitchfield	KY	50/100	81/100
29	42755	Leitchfield	KY	50/100	81/100
30	40807	Benham	KY	52/100	79/100
31	42050	Hickman	KY	52/100	94/100
32	41649	Martin	KY	53/100	57/100
33	42351	Lewisport	KY	53/100	71/100
34	40008	Bloomfield	KY	54/100	68/100
35	40828	Evarts	KY	54/100	76/100
36	41005	Burlington	KY	55/100	79/100
37	42210	Brownsville	KY	55/100	68/100
38	42327	Calhoun	KY	55/100	57/100
39	40175	Vine Grove	KY	57/100	74/100
40	42455	Sebree	KY	57/100	79/100
41	41465	Salyersville	KY	58/100	56/100
42	42413	Hanson	KY	58/100	78/100
43	40380	Stanton	KY	60/100	67/100
44	42539	Liberty	KY	60/100	62/100
45	40701	Corbin	KY	61/100	75/100
46	40702	Corbin	KY	61/100	80/100
47	42343	Fordsville	KY	62/100	71/100
48	42167	Tompkinsville	KY	63/100	59/100
49	40310	Burgin	KY	64/100	63/100
50	40322	Frenchburg	KY	64/100	76/100
51	40342	Lawrenceburg	KY	64/100	76/100
52	40977	Pineville	KY	64/100	71/100
53	41008	Carrollton	KY	64/100	71/100
54	41031	Cynthiana	KY	64/100	58/100
55	41224	Inez	KY	64/100	71/100
56	42441	Nebo	KY	64/100	70/100
57	42748	Hodgenville	KY	64/100	76/100
58	40019	Eminence	KY	65/100	81/100
59	40741	London	KY	65/100	83/100
60	40742	London	KY	65/100	83/100
61	40743	London	KY	65/100	83/100
62	40744	London	KY	65/100	83/100
63	40745	London	KY	65/100	83/100
64	40750	London	KY	65/100	83/100
65	41101	Ashland	KY	65/100	46/100
66	41102	Ashland	KY	65/100	41/100
67	41105	Ashland	KY	65/100	56/100
68	41114	Ashland	KY	65/100	56/100
69	42032	Columbus	KY	65/100	99/100
70	42035	Cunningham	KY	65/100	94/100
71	42713	Bonnieville	KY	65/100	31/100
72	40769	Williamsburg	KY	66/100	74/100
73	40361	Paris	KY	67/100	52/100
74	40362	Paris	KY	67/100	67/100
75	40390	Wilmore	KY	67/100	59/100
76	40437	Hustonville	KY	67/100	69/100
77	40815	Cawood	KY	67/100	74/100
78	41314	Booneville	KY	67/100	82/100
79	41858	Whitesburg	KY	67/100	64/100
80	42058	Ledbetter	KY	67/100	82/100
81	42064	Marion	KY	67/100	82/100
82	42127	Cave City	KY	67/100	54/100
83	42234	Guthrie	KY	67/100	82/100
84	42261	Morgantown	KY	67/100	69/100
85	42404	Clay	KY	67/100	82/100
86	42717	Burkesville	KY	67/100	69/100
87	40387	Wellington	KY	68/100	72/100
88	40150	Lebanon Junction	KY	70/100	52/100
89	40347	Midway	KY	70/100	64/100
90	40403	Berea	KY	70/100	77/100
91	40404	Berea	KY	70/100	82/100
92	40419	Crab Orchard	KY	70/100	69/100
93	40806	Baxter	KY	70/100	60/100
94	41006	Butler	KY	70/100	69/100
95	41010	Corinth	KY	70/100	72/100
96	41171	Sandy Hook	KY	70/100	82/100
97	41179	Vanceburg	KY	70/100	65/100
98	41721	Buckhorn	KY	70/100	82/100
99	42048	Hardin	KY	70/100	87/100
100	42410	Earlington	KY	70/100	82/100

Methodology

Water system reliability scores (0-100) combine violation frequency, violation recency, resolution rate, and system size. Systems with repeated health-based violations and unresolved issues score lowest. The reliability score focuses specifically on the water utility performance, distinct from the broader Home Safety Score.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a low water reliability score mean?

A low reliability score (below 50) indicates a water system with frequent violations, poor resolution rates, or recurring compliance issues. These systems may have aging infrastructure, inadequate treatment, or management challenges.

How is reliability different from safety score?

The reliability score focuses specifically on the water utility performance (violations, resolution, compliance). The Home Safety Score is broader, also including lead risk, radon, and flood data. A ZIP code can have a reliable water system but still have high radon or flood risk.