Out of 416 ZIP codes with data in Kentucky, these are the highest-ranked areas for lead (ppb). See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Lead in Water | All Kentucky Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 416 |
| Highest value | 14.0 ppb |
| Median value | 3.0 ppb |
| State | Kentucky |
Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | Lead (ppb) | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 41101 | Ashland | KY | 14.0 ppb | 83/100 |
| 2 | 41102 | Ashland | KY | 14.0 ppb | 61/100 |
| 3 | 41129 | Catlettsburg | KY | 14.0 ppb | 64/100 |
| 4 | 41139 | Flatwoods | KY | 14.0 ppb | 64/100 |
| 5 | 41169 | Russell | KY | 14.0 ppb | 80/100 |
| 6 | 42087 | Wickliffe | KY | 14.0 ppb | — |
| 7 | 42038 | Eddyville | KY | 13.0 ppb | — |
| 8 | 42211 | Cadiz | KY | 13.0 ppb | — |
| 9 | 42215 | Cerulean | KY | 13.0 ppb | — |
| 10 | 42232 | Gracey | KY | 13.0 ppb | 83/100 |
| 11 | 42236 | Herndon | KY | 13.0 ppb | 83/100 |
| 12 | 42445 | Princeton | KY | 13.0 ppb | — |
| 13 | 40311 | Carlisle | KY | 12.0 ppb | — |
| 14 | 40353 | Mount Sterling | KY | 12.0 ppb | — |
| 15 | 40360 | Owingsville | KY | 12.0 ppb | — |
| 16 | 40361 | Paris | KY | 12.0 ppb | — |
| 17 | 40374 | Sharpsburg | KY | 12.0 ppb | — |
| 18 | 40391 | Winchester | KY | 12.0 ppb | — |
| 19 | 41003 | Berry | KY | 11.0 ppb | — |
| 20 | 41040 | Falmouth | KY | 11.0 ppb | — |
| 21 | 42101 | Bowling Green | KY | 7.0 ppb | 57/100 |
| 22 | 42151 | Hestand | KY | 7.0 ppb | — |
| 23 | 42167 | Tompkinsville | KY | 7.0 ppb | — |
| 24 | 42171 | Smiths Grove | KY | 7.0 ppb | 57/100 |
| 25 | 42210 | Brownsville | KY | 7.0 ppb | 73/100 |
| 26 | 40051 | New Haven | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 27 | 40150 | Lebanon Junction | KY | 6.0 ppb | 49/100 |
| 28 | 40160 | Radcliff | KY | 6.0 ppb | 80/100 |
| 29 | 40162 | Rineyville | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 30 | 40175 | Vine Grove | KY | 6.0 ppb | 77/100 |
| 31 | 40337 | Jeffersonville | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 32 | 40346 | Means | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 33 | 40403 | Berea | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 34 | 40409 | Brodhead | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 35 | 40419 | Crab Orchard | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 36 | 40445 | Livingston | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 37 | 40447 | Mc Kee | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 38 | 40456 | Mount Vernon | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 39 | 40460 | Orlando | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 40 | 40461 | Paint Lick | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 41 | 40484 | Stanford | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 42 | 40489 | Waynesburg | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 43 | 41039 | Ewing | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 44 | 41041 | Flemingsburg | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 45 | 41055 | Mayslick | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 46 | 41093 | Wallingford | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 47 | 42066 | Mayfield | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 48 | 42079 | Sedalia | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 49 | 42501 | Somerset | KY | 6.0 ppb | 66/100 |
| 50 | 42503 | Somerset | KY | 6.0 ppb | 66/100 |
| 51 | 42567 | Eubank | KY | 6.0 ppb | 66/100 |
| 52 | 42701 | Elizabethtown | KY | 6.0 ppb | 62/100 |
| 53 | 42712 | Big Clifty | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 54 | 42713 | Bonnieville | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 55 | 42724 | Cecilia | KY | 6.0 ppb | 83/100 |
| 56 | 42732 | Eastview | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 57 | 42740 | Glendale | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 58 | 42748 | Hodgenville | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 59 | 42757 | Magnolia | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 60 | 42765 | Munfordville | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 61 | 42776 | Sonora | KY | 6.0 ppb | 83/100 |
| 62 | 42784 | Upton | KY | 6.0 ppb | — |
| 63 | 42788 | White Mills | KY | 6.0 ppb | 66/100 |
| 64 | 40324 | Georgetown | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 65 | 40347 | Midway | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 66 | 40370 | Sadieville | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 67 | 40379 | Stamping Ground | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 68 | 40422 | Danville | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 69 | 40437 | Hustonville | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 70 | 40440 | Junction City | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 71 | 40511 | Lexington | KY | 5.0 ppb | 67/100 |
| 72 | 40769 | Williamsburg | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 73 | 40813 | Calvin | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 74 | 40845 | Hulen | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 75 | 40856 | Miracle | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 76 | 40902 | Arjay | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 77 | 40913 | Beverly | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 78 | 40939 | Fourmile | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 79 | 40940 | Frakes | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 80 | 40958 | Kettle Island | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 81 | 40965 | Middlesboro | KY | 5.0 ppb | 83/100 |
| 82 | 40977 | Pineville | KY | 5.0 ppb | 81/100 |
| 83 | 40988 | Stoney Fork | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 84 | 41031 | Cynthiana | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 85 | 42021 | Arlington | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 86 | 42039 | Fancy Farm | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 87 | 42051 | Hickory | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 88 | 42159 | Oakland | KY | 5.0 ppb | 58/100 |
| 89 | 42160 | Park City | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 90 | 42207 | Bee Spring | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 91 | 42259 | Mammoth Cave | KY | 5.0 ppb | 74/100 |
| 92 | 42275 | Roundhill | KY | 5.0 ppb | 74/100 |
| 93 | 42285 | Sweeden | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 94 | 42404 | Clay | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 95 | 42437 | Morganfield | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 96 | 42459 | Sturgis | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 97 | 42461 | Uniontown | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 98 | 42462 | Waverly | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 99 | 42629 | Jamestown | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 100 | 42642 | Russell Springs | KY | 5.0 ppb | — |
Methodology
Lead rankings are based on the 90th percentile lead testing value (PB90) reported by water systems under the Lead and Copper Rule. When CCR data is unavailable, EPA SDWIS lead sampling data is used. The EPA action level for lead is 15 ppb (0.015 mg/L). There is no safe level of lead exposure.
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: 2026-08-11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dangerous lead level in water?
The EPA action level is 15 parts per billion (ppb). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 1 ppb for school drinking water. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children.
How is lead measured in water?
Water systems collect samples from homes with known lead service lines or lead solder. The 90th percentile value (PB90) means 90% of samples tested below that level. If PB90 exceeds 15 ppb, the system must take corrective action.
Explore More Rankings
- ZIP Codes with Most EPA Violations in Kentucky
- Lowest Home Safety Scores in Kentucky
- Highest Home Safety Scores in Kentucky
- Historical NFIP Claim Counts in Kentucky
- ZIP Codes with Highest Energy Costs in Kentucky
- ZIP Codes with Highest Radon Risk in Kentucky
- ZIP Codes with PFAS Detections in Kentucky
- Least Reliable Water Systems in Kentucky
- Environmental Justice Concern Areas in Kentucky
- Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Kentucky
- ZIP Codes with Worst CO & Gas Risk in Kentucky
- Safest ZIP Codes for Gas & CO Risk in Kentucky
- ZIP Codes with Worst Wildfire Smoke Risk in Kentucky
- Safest ZIP Codes for Wildfire Smoke in Kentucky
- All Rankings