Water System Report KY

Horse Cave Water System

EPA ID: KY0500476 · 2,744 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Federal monitoring spanning five full years has produced zero violations at Horse Cave Water System — a clean record across every reporting cycle for a utility serving approximately 2,744 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

2,744
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0
Contaminants Flagged
$139K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 6 (2023) to 1 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Horse Cave Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary

Service Area Demographics

$46,202
Median Household Income
18,221
Service Area Population
100%
Disadvantaged Population
80th
Poverty Percentile
77th
Energy Burden Percentile
58%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Horse Cave Water System serves a community with a median household income of $46,202 and an estimated 18,221 residents across its service area. Approximately 58% 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?

Surface Water

Horse Cave Water System'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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
33th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
10th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Barren County, Kentucky rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

44 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
26 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 63% of expected lifespan used End of life

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Kentucky

B 7 violations
Elkton Water Works
2,780 people
0 violations
C 0 violations
B 1 violation
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,800
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Water Filtration $100
Total Estimated Cost $3,100

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

Horse Cave Water System (EPA ID: KY0500476) is a community water system in Kentucky that serves approximately 2,744 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free 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 Horse Cave Water System (KY0500476) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Horse Cave Water System water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Horse Cave Water System has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Horse Cave Water System serve?

Horse Cave Water System serves approximately 2,744 people across 3 ZIP codes in Kentucky.

Where does Horse Cave Water System get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
564
Galvanized — Replacement Required
76
Unknown Material
589
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2025-07-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,744
Reported to Kentucky

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use a water filter?
Horse Cave Water System meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Horse Cave Water System serve?
Horse Cave Water System serves approximately 2,744 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Horse Cave Water System's water source?
Horse Cave Water System draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Horse Cave Water System's service area?
The Horse Cave Water System service area has a median household income of $46,202. EPA EJScreen data classifies 100% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Horse Cave Water System get its water?
Horse Cave Water System'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. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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