Health Violations Found KY 7 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Sturgis Water Works

EPA ID: KY1130422 · 3,490 people served · 4 ZIP codes

Tallying the federal enforcement file for Sturgis Water Works yields 5 open violations that have not been formally closed — each finding sits in the EPA database while the utility continues to deliver water to approximately 3,490 residents and works through the required corrective action process.

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

D · 52
Avg Safety Score
3,490
People Served
4
ZIP Codes Served
9
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
3
Contaminants Flagged
$107K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 2 (2023) to 40 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Sturgis Water Works Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$54,388
Median Household Income
13,483
Service Area Population
75%
Disadvantaged Population
73th
Poverty Percentile
73th
Energy Burden Percentile
73%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Sturgis Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $54,388 and an estimated 13,483 residents across its service area. Approximately 73% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 75% 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

Sturgis Water Works'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
83th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Webster County, Kentucky rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 83th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.

Infrastructure Risk

54 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
14 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 79% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Sturgis Water Works compares to EPA limits

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 7 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects

What This Means For You

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 13 detections recorded. 4 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 4 exceed state limits.

State limits: PFOA: 0.004 ppt, PFOS: 0.004 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Kentucky

C 2 violations
C 0 violations
0 violations
D 2 violations
B 1 violation

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,050
PFAS Treatment $600
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $375
Total Estimated Cost $2,425

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Property Value Decline $5,340

5% of median home value (EPA est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,835
10 years
$15,670
20 years
$31,340

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,425 (one-time) vs. $15,670 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Sturgis Water Works (EPA ID: KY1130422) is a community water system in Kentucky that serves approximately 3,490 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (52/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

7 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 5 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 2, 2025 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2025 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
December 24, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Resolved
April 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Resolved
January 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Resolved
October 1, 2023 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
July 1, 2023 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 7 Yes
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Health Risk Details

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)

Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

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

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 Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 3 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Sturgis Water Works (KY1130422) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sturgis Water Works water safe to drink?

Sturgis Water Works has recorded 7 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Sturgis Water Works serve?

Sturgis Water Works serves approximately 3,490 people across 4 ZIP codes in Kentucky.

Where does Sturgis Water Works get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Above Current MCL

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). One or more PFAS compounds were measured above the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
116
Detections
4
Latest sample
10/8/2025
Highest analyte
PFOA: 10.8 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOA 10.8 ppt 10 ppt Above current MCL
PFPeA 4 ppt
PFBS 3.4 ppt
PFHxA 3.1 ppt

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 →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

0
Confirmed Lead
26
Galvanized — Replacement Required
1,013
Unknown Material
230
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 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 3,490
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

Is water from Sturgis Water Works safe to drink?
Sturgis Water Works has a D safety grade based on 9 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Sturgis Water Works's water?
Detected contaminants include Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Stage 2 DBP Rule, Lead and Copper Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 3 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Sturgis Water Works serve?
Sturgis Water Works serves approximately 3,490 people with drinking water across 4 ZIP codes.
What is Sturgis Water Works's water source?
Sturgis Water Works draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Sturgis Water Works's service area?
The Sturgis Water Works service area has a median household income of $54,388. EPA EJScreen data classifies 75% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Sturgis Water Works get its water?
Sturgis Water Works'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 violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Sturgis Water Works (EPA ID: KY1130422) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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