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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 42533 Water Quality & Testing Report

Ferguson, KY · Pulaski County County · Updated for 2026

Sahajul HaqueCompiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records
Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 42533 (Ferguson, KY)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 42533 (Ferguson, KY) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (40/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 0 ppb lead. While treated by SOMERSET WATER SERVICE, 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

High

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 42533

Tap water in ZIP code 42533 (Ferguson, KY) is distributed by SOMERSET WATER SERVICE (EPA ID: KY1000403), serving approximately 29,700 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 40/100.

Water System

SOMERSET WATER SERVICE

EPA ID: KY1000403

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

29,700 residents

County

Pulaski County County, Kentucky

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Lead Levels in ZIP 42533

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

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 42533. Contact SOMERSET WATER SERVICE to request lead testing results.

Lead exposure risk in 42533 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 57% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

57%
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: Hard7.7 GPG · 131 mg/L

Water in ZIP 42533 is Hard (131 mg/L / 7.7 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

7.7 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

131 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: SOMERSET WATER SERVICE · PWSID: KY1000403

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

SOMERSET WATER SERVICE 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
Unknown
⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 42533 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
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

3.76%

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 42533

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 42533 served by SOMERSET WATER SERVICE 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 42533 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 SOMERSET WATER SERVICE 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 42533 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 42533?+
Tap water in 42533 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 42533 (Ferguson, KY)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 42533, 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 42533?+
Tap water in 42533 is classified as Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 131 mg/L (7.7 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 42533?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 42533 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 42533 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 42533. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 42533?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 42533. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 42533?+
Tap water in ZIP code 42533 is provided by SOMERSET WATER SERVICE (EPA ID: KY1000403), serving approximately 29,700 residents.
What water filter should I use in 42533?+
Based on water metrics for 42533, 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 42533 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 SOMERSET WATER SERVICE. 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 →