Worst Infrastructure: Kentucky — 2026 Rankings

Out of 839 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Kentucky, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	839
Highest risk	63%
Median risk	39%
Average risk	39%
State	Kentucky

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	40007	Bethlehem	KY	63%	Very High	53/100
2	40212	Louisville	KY	63%	Very High	65/100
3	40204	Louisville	KY	62%	Very High	65/100
4	40855	Lynch	KY	62%	Very High	82/100
5	40205	Louisville	KY	61%	Very High	55/100
6	40210	Louisville	KY	61%	Very High	70/100
7	42450	Providence	KY	61%	Very High	58/100
8	42459	Sturgis	KY	61%	Very High	51/100
9	40208	Louisville	KY	60%	High	65/100
10	40217	Louisville	KY	60%	High	65/100
11	40964	Mary Alice	KY	60%	High	63/100
12	41567	Stone	KY	60%	High	55/100
13	40348	Millersburg	KY	59%	High	55/100
14	41669	Wheelwright	KY	59%	High	83/100
15	40203	Louisville	KY	58%	High	70/100
16	40215	Louisville	KY	58%	High	65/100
17	40807	Benham	KY	58%	High	79/100
18	41146	Hitchins	KY	58%	High	55/100
19	42058	Ledbetter	KY	58%	High	82/100
20	42322	Beech Grove	KY	58%	High	53/100
21	42404	Clay	KY	58%	High	82/100
22	40209	Louisville	KY	57%	High	65/100
23	40211	Louisville	KY	57%	High	65/100
24	40502	Lexington	KY	57%	High	55/100
25	40505	Lexington	KY	57%	High	55/100
26	41537	Jenkins	KY	57%	High	67/100
27	41612	Bypro	KY	57%	High	55/100
28	42437	Morganfield	KY	57%	High	58/100
29	40213	Louisville	KY	56%	High	55/100
30	40849	Lejunior	KY	56%	High	63/100
31	41605	Betsy Layne	KY	56%	High	55/100
32	42037	Dycusburg	KY	56%	High	53/100
33	40058	Port Royal	KY	55%	High	53/100
34	41073	Bellevue	KY	55%	High	50/100
35	41538	Jonancy	KY	55%	High	63/100
36	41601	Allen	KY	55%	High	50/100
37	41804	Blackey	KY	55%	High	63/100
38	41838	Millstone	KY	55%	High	63/100
39	42159	Oakland	KY	55%	High	53/100
40	42713	Bonnieville	KY	55%	High	31/100
41	40020	Fairfield	KY	54%	High	40/100
42	40177	West Point	KY	54%	High	45/100
43	40206	Louisville	KY	54%	High	60/100
44	41014	Covington	KY	54%	High	63/100
45	41085	Silver Grove	KY	54%	High	50/100
46	41102	Ashland	KY	54%	High	41/100
47	41526	Fords Branch	KY	54%	High	63/100
48	42028	Burna	KY	54%	High	53/100
49	40040	Mackville	KY	53%	High	53/100
50	40818	Coalgood	KY	53%	High	53/100
51	40847	Kenvir	KY	53%	High	63/100
52	41101	Ashland	KY	53%	High	46/100
53	41503	South Williamson	KY	53%	High	50/100
54	41555	Pinsonfork	KY	53%	High	63/100
55	41835	Mc Roberts	KY	53%	High	63/100
56	42409	Dixon	KY	53%	High	83/100
57	42461	Uniontown	KY	53%	High	65/100
58	40155	Muldraugh	KY	52%	High	83/100
59	40161	Rhodelia	KY	52%	High	53/100
60	40207	Louisville	KY	52%	High	55/100
61	40339	Keene	KY	52%	High	40/100
62	40503	Lexington	KY	52%	High	50/100
63	40504	Lexington	KY	52%	High	50/100
64	40830	Gulston	KY	52%	High	63/100
65	41606	Bevinsville	KY	52%	High	63/100
66	41840	Neon	KY	52%	High	54/100
67	42202	Adairville	KY	52%	High	75/100
68	40214	Louisville	KY	51%	High	55/100
69	40507	Lexington	KY	51%	High	60/100
70	40508	Lexington	KY	51%	High	60/100
71	41074	Dayton	KY	51%	High	50/100
72	41513	Belcher	KY	51%	High	53/100
73	41517	Burdine	KY	51%	High	63/100
74	42081	Smithland	KY	51%	High	53/100
75	42345	Greenville	KY	51%	High	67/100
76	42371	Rumsey	KY	51%	High	50/100
77	42410	Earlington	KY	51%	High	82/100
78	42431	Madisonville	KY	51%	High	70/100
79	40216	Louisville	KY	50%	High	55/100
80	40334	Hope	KY	50%	High	53/100
81	40983	Sextons Creek	KY	50%	High	53/100
82	41016	Covington	KY	50%	High	50/100
83	41566	Steele	KY	50%	High	53/100
84	41775	Wendover	KY	50%	High	53/100
85	41847	Redfox	KY	50%	High	63/100
86	42050	Hickman	KY	50%	High	94/100
87	42124	Beaumont	KY	50%	High	40/100
88	42321	Beech Creek	KY	50%	High	53/100
89	42369	Rockport	KY	50%	High	53/100
90	42462	Waverly	KY	50%	High	53/100
91	42749	Horse Cave	KY	50%	High	70/100
92	40025	Glenview	KY	49%	High	53/100
93	41002	Augusta	KY	49%	High	73/100
94	41011	Covington	KY	49%	High	55/100
95	41512	Ashcamp	KY	49%	High	63/100
96	42061	Lowes	KY	49%	High	66/100
97	42256	Lewisburg	KY	49%	High	62/100
98	42276	Russellville	KY	49%	High	69/100
99	42325	Bremen	KY	49%	High	72/100
100	42327	Calhoun	KY	49%	High	57/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-07-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.