Kentucky
Kentucky sits in the South and draws its water primarily from Ohio River, Kentucky River, and reservoirs. With roughly 4.5 million residents, the state has minimal formal water reuse to date, reusing an estimated 3% of its treated wastewater.
Kentuckywater quality & safety
Top violation drivers in Kentucky
| Contaminant / rule | Systems |
|---|---|
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 103 |
| TTHM | 72 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | 30 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | 18 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | 11 |
| CARBON, TOTAL | 8 |
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1 · health-based violations since 2016
Plentiful surface water; the main issue is aging distribution systems and rural access.
On the U.S. Drought Monitor scale, Kentucky currently tracks around moderate to severe conditions. Kentucky has 375 community water systems serving about 5 million people; EPA records show 179 of them (47.7%) with a health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016. The pages below break down the water issues that matter most here and the communities working on solutions.
Drought history — severe+ extent
% of Kentucky in severe drought or worse (D2+) each late summer.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC/UNL, USDA, NOAA) · latest 2026-06-09
Water use (USGS 2015)
- Per-capita (public supply)
- 139 gpcd
- Total withdrawals
- 2.8 Bgal/d
- From groundwater
- 7.3%
- Irrigation share
- 1.4%
- Wastewater reused (est.)
- ~3%
Primary water sources
- ≈ Ohio River
- ≈ Kentucky River
- ≈ reservoirs
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Kentucky?
Kentucky has 375 community water systems serving about 5 million people. EPA records show 179 of them (47.7%) with at least one health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016, and 1 system(s) over the federal lead action level. Most large systems meet standards; check your specific city and your utility's annual report.
What contaminants are most common in Kentucky's water?
The most frequent health-based violations involve Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM, Revised Total Coliform Rule.
How much water does Kentucky use per person?
Public water systems in Kentucky withdraw about 139 gallons per person per day (USGS 2015), drawing 7.3% of fresh water from groundwater.
How bad is the drought in Kentucky?
As of 2026-06-09, 56.4% of Kentucky is in drought (D1+) and 22.5% is in severe drought or worse, per the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Cities in Kentucky
7 trackedLexington-Fayette
Lexington-Fayette, KY water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Ironville
Ironville, KY water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Meads
Meads, KY water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Louisville
Louisville, KY water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Lexington
Lexington, KY water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Bowling Green
Bowling Green, KY water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Owensboro
Owensboro, KY water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.