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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 40544 Water Quality & Testing Report

Lexington, KY · Fayette County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 40544 (Lexington, KY)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 40544 (Lexington, KY) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (53/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 9.0 ppb lead. While treated by Kentucky-american Water Company, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

0

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 40544

Tap water in ZIP code 40544 (Lexington, KY) is distributed by Kentucky-american Water Company (EPA ID: KY0340250), serving approximately 299,501 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of D with a composite quality score of 53/100.

Water System

Kentucky-american Water Company

EPA ID: KY0340250

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

299,501 residents

County

Fayette County County, Kentucky

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Lead Levels in ZIP 40544

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 9.0 ppb — Moderate

The 90th percentile lead level in 40544 is 9.0 ppb. This is below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, but above ideal health goals. Consider a certified lead-reducing filter.
Lead Level (90th percentile)
9.00 ppb (0.009 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Hard8 GPG · 137 mg/L

Water in ZIP 40544 is Hard (137 mg/L / 8 GPG). Residents may notice white mineral spots on glassware, reduced soap efficiency, and mineral scale on faucets and showerheads.

Recommendation: An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

8 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

137 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Kentucky-american Water Company · PWSID: KY0340250

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Kentucky-american Water Company has recorded zero violations in the EPA compliance database over the past 5 years.

Total Violations (5 yr)
0
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Low

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Low based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 40544 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
CCR Source Classification
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 40544

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 40544 served by Kentucky-american Water Company can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in KY for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 40544 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact Kentucky-american Water Company to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide →
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
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NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 40544 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 40544?+
Tap water in 40544 has a below-average safety grade of D due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 40544 (Lexington, KY)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 40544, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in KY. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 40544?+
Tap water in 40544 is classified as Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 137 mg/L (8 GPG). An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Should I test private well water in 40544?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 40544 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 40544 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 40544 is 9.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 40544?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 40544. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 40544?+
Tap water in ZIP code 40544 is provided by Kentucky-american Water Company (EPA ID: KY0340250), serving approximately 299,501 residents.
What water filter should I use in 40544?+
Based on water metrics for 40544, we recommend Lead & Microplastic Filter. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead Reduction), NSF/ANSI 42 (Particulate/Taste).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 40544 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Kentucky-american Water Company. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →