Benham Water Plant
EPA ID: KY0480028 · 855 people served · 2 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Benham Water Plant (KY0480028): 2 unresolved EPA violations on record. Within the EPA compliance database, Benham Water Plant shows 2 violations still pending resolution - a status that applies across the full service territory of approximately 855 people and reflects findings that have not yet cleared the federal enforcement process or received formal closure.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Benham Water Plant Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Service Area Demographics
The Benham Water Plant serves a community with a median household income of $31,403 and an estimated 4,689 residents across its service area. Approximately 86% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 100% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Benham Water Plant's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Benham Water Plant compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead and Copper Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
E. coli at 1 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.
Fecal Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
E. coli was detected in this water system. UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Benham Water Plant (EPA ID: KY0480028) is a community water system in Kentucky that serves approximately 855 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 2 resolved, 0 archived, 0 addressed, and 2 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Non-health-based | Unaddressed (current) |
| March 27, 2025 | Chlorine residual | Health-based | Unaddressed (current) |
| January 1, 2021 | E. coli | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2021 | Fecal Coliform | Non-health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 1 | Yes |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 1 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
Chlorine (Residual Disinfectant) (EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level))
Irritation & DBP formation at high levels; protective at normal treatment levels At-risk groups: people with asthma or chemical sensitivities, kidney dialysis patients (water must be dechlorinated).
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), KDF media filter, carbon block filter. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by KY or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Benham Water Plant (KY0480028) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Benham Water Plant water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows 1 current health-based noncompliance record for Benham Water Plant. Review the utility's current notices and EPA record. This system-level compliance history cannot determine conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Benham Water Plant serve?
Benham Water Plant serves approximately 855 people across 2 ZIP codes in Kentucky.
Where does Benham Water Plant get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Benham Water Plant (KY): 1 Health Violation. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ky0480028/
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title = {{Benham Water Plant (KY): 1 Health Violation}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ky0480028/}
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What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Benham Water Plant (EPA ID: KY0480028) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.