Health Violations Found KY 14 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Providence Water Works

EPA ID: KY1170361 · 4,538 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Providence Water Works shows 11 open EPA violations in current federal records for approximately 4,538 people.

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

C · 58
Avg Safety Score
4,538
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
17
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.002 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
5
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 24 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$53,533
Median Household Income
8,176
Service Area Population
83%
Disadvantaged Population
77th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
68%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Providence Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $53,533 and an estimated 8,176 residents across its service area. Approximately 68% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 83% 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

Providence 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
57th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
23th
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.

Infrastructure Risk

55 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
13 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 81% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Providence Water Works compares to EPA limits

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 12 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 2 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 12 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

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

Surface Water Treatment 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. 4 detections recorded. 1 exceeds federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 1 exceeds 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

B 0 violations
Lancaster Water Works
4,573 people
0 violations
C 0 violations
0 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $800
Radon Mitigation $400
PFAS Treatment $367
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $1,867

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 $1,500

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
$10,335
10 years
$20,670
20 years
$41,340

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,867 (one-time) vs. $20,670 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

Providence Water Works (EPA ID: KY1170361) is a community water system in Kentucky that serves approximately 4,538 people from surface water sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: C (58/100)

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

Violation History

14 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 11 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
June 24, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Resolved
July 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Resolved
April 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
January 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
October 1, 2023 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
July 1, 2023 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2023 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
January 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 12 Yes
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 2 Yes
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Surface Water Treatment 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 →

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L)

Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water, people who frequently shower in chlorinated water.

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
42450 0.002 mg/L No N/A

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: 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 Providence Water Works (KY1170361) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Providence Water Works water safe to drink?

Providence Water Works has recorded 14 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 Providence Water Works serve?

Providence Water Works serves approximately 4,538 people across 3 ZIP codes in Kentucky.

Where does Providence Water Works get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
116
Detections
2
Latest sample
10/14/2024
Highest analyte
PFBA: 6.3 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBA 6.3 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:

1
Confirmed Lead
1
Galvanized — Replacement Required
1,187
Unknown Material
386
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.
Compliance issue flagged by EPA under Rule 4G.
Population served: 4,538
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 Providence Water Works safe to drink?
Providence Water Works has a C safety grade based on 17 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Providence Water Works's water?
Detected contaminants include Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Stage 2 DBP Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 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 Providence Water Works serve?
Providence Water Works serves approximately 4,538 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Providence Water Works's water source?
Providence Water Works draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Providence Water Works's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.002 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Providence Water Works's service area?
The Providence Water Works service area has a median household income of $53,533. EPA EJScreen data classifies 83% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Providence Water Works get its water?
Providence 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

Providence Water Works (EPA ID: KY1170361) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Kentucky Providence Water Works

Get safety alerts for Providence Water Works, Kentucky

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.