Worst Infrastructure: Kentucky — 2026 Rankings

Out of 790 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	790
Highest risk	61%
Median risk	32%
Average risk	33%
State	Kentucky

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	40855	Lynch	KY	61%	Very High	82/100
2	42450	Providence	KY	61%	Very High	58/100
3	40807	Benham	KY	58%	High	79/100
4	42437	Morganfield	KY	57%	High	58/100
5	42459	Sturgis	KY	56%	High	51/100
6	42322	Beech Grove	KY	54%	High	53/100
7	41840	Neon	KY	52%	High	54/100
8	42410	Earlington	KY	51%	High	82/100
9	40007	Bethlehem	KY	50%	High	53/100
10	40212	Louisville	KY	50%	High	65/100
11	41101	Ashland	KY	50%	High	46/100
12	41537	Jenkins	KY	50%	High	67/100
13	42081	Smithland	KY	50%	High	53/100
14	40204	Louisville	KY	49%	High	65/100
15	41014	Covington	KY	49%	High	63/100
16	41073	Bellevue	KY	49%	High	50/100
17	42050	Hickman	KY	49%	High	94/100
18	42327	Calhoun	KY	49%	High	57/100
19	42345	Greenville	KY	49%	High	67/100
20	40205	Louisville	KY	48%	High	55/100
21	40210	Louisville	KY	48%	High	70/100
22	40964	Mary Alice	KY	48%	High	63/100
23	41085	Silver Grove	KY	48%	High	50/100
24	41838	Millstone	KY	48%	High	63/100
25	42058	Ledbetter	KY	48%	High	82/100
26	42167	Tompkinsville	KY	48%	High	59/100
27	42404	Clay	KY	48%	High	82/100
28	40208	Louisville	KY	47%	High	65/100
29	40217	Louisville	KY	47%	High	65/100
30	40445	Livingston	KY	47%	High	61/100
31	40849	Lejunior	KY	47%	High	63/100
32	40906	Barbourville	KY	47%	High	68/100
33	40977	Pineville	KY	47%	High	71/100
34	41669	Wheelwright	KY	47%	High	83/100
35	41822	Hindman	KY	47%	High	72/100
36	42035	Cunningham	KY	47%	High	94/100
37	42210	Brownsville	KY	47%	High	68/100
38	40203	Louisville	KY	46%	High	70/100
39	40211	Louisville	KY	46%	High	65/100
40	40215	Louisville	KY	46%	High	65/100
41	40348	Millersburg	KY	46%	High	55/100
42	40828	Evarts	KY	46%	High	76/100
43	41102	Ashland	KY	46%	High	41/100
44	41146	Hitchins	KY	46%	High	55/100
45	41567	Stone	KY	46%	High	55/100
46	42037	Dycusburg	KY	46%	High	53/100
47	42041	Fulton	KY	46%	High	81/100
48	42256	Lewisburg	KY	46%	High	62/100
49	42337	Drakesboro	KY	46%	High	76/100
50	40209	Louisville	KY	45%	High	65/100
51	40361	Paris	KY	45%	High	52/100
52	40502	Lexington	KY	45%	High	55/100
53	40505	Lexington	KY	45%	High	55/100
54	40847	Kenvir	KY	45%	High	63/100
55	41074	Dayton	KY	45%	High	50/100
56	41612	Bypro	KY	45%	High	55/100
57	41649	Martin	KY	45%	High	57/100
58	42352	Livermore	KY	45%	High	83/100
59	42370	Rosine	KY	45%	High	53/100
60	42461	Uniontown	KY	45%	High	65/100
61	40058	Port Royal	KY	44%	High	53/100
62	40111	Cloverport	KY	44%	High	70/100
63	40213	Louisville	KY	44%	High	55/100
64	40310	Burgin	KY	44%	High	63/100
65	40347	Midway	KY	44%	High	64/100
66	40818	Coalgood	KY	44%	High	53/100
67	41008	Carrollton	KY	44%	High	71/100
68	41016	Covington	KY	44%	High	50/100
69	41129	Catlettsburg	KY	44%	High	63/100
70	41169	Russell	KY	44%	High	74/100
71	41183	Worthington	KY	44%	High	78/100
72	41804	Blackey	KY	44%	High	63/100
73	41858	Whitesburg	KY	44%	High	64/100
74	42064	Marion	KY	44%	High	82/100
75	40020	Fairfield	KY	43%	High	40/100
76	40040	Mackville	KY	43%	High	53/100
77	40177	West Point	KY	43%	High	45/100
78	40206	Louisville	KY	43%	High	60/100
79	40601	Frankfort	KY	43%	High	48/100
80	40815	Cawood	KY	43%	High	74/100
81	40829	Grays Knob	KY	43%	High	63/100
82	41011	Covington	KY	43%	High	55/100
83	41017	Ft Mitchell	KY	43%	High	57/100
84	41031	Cynthiana	KY	43%	High	58/100
85	42276	Russellville	KY	43%	High	69/100
86	42748	Hodgenville	KY	43%	High	76/100
87	40207	Louisville	KY	42%	High	55/100
88	40334	Hope	KY	42%	High	53/100
89	40339	Keene	KY	42%	High	40/100
90	40472	Ravenna	KY	42%	High	63/100
91	40769	Williamsburg	KY	42%	High	74/100
92	40803	Asher	KY	42%	High	53/100
93	40806	Baxter	KY	42%	High	60/100
94	40823	Cumberland	KY	42%	High	78/100
95	41075	Fort Thomas	KY	42%	High	63/100
96	41465	Salyersville	KY	42%	High	56/100
97	41501	Pikeville	KY	42%	High	43/100
98	41601	Allen	KY	42%	High	50/100
99	41606	Bevinsville	KY	42%	High	63/100
100	41835	Mc Roberts	KY	42%	High	63/100

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: 2026-06-04.

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.