Bowling Green
Bowling Green, KY water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
warren county water district
surface water (rivers/reservoirs) · local government · PWSID KY1140487
Below EPA's 15 ppb lead action level at last testing.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1
Bowling Green, KY is a small but growing city, with a population near 63,616 and the 6th-largest community in Kentucky. Like much of Kentucky, Bowling Green draws its water primarily from Ohio River, Kentucky River, and reservoirs.
Bowling Green's water outlook is shaped most by aging infrastructure — the issue that dominates planning across Kentucky. Plentiful surface water; the main issue is aging distribution systems and rural access.
Bowling Green sits in a state that reuses roughly 3% of treated wastewater (minimal programs) and currently experiences moderate to severe drought.
For the bigger picture, see the Kentucky state water profile and the related issues below.
Warren County water quality
Source: EPA SDWIS · 2026 Q1
At a glance
- Population ~63,616 (6th-largest in Kentucky)
- Primary sources: Ohio River, Kentucky River, and reservoirs
- Drought: moderate to severe conditions
- State reuse rate: ~3% of wastewater
Statewide drought history
% of Kentucky in severe+ drought (Severe (D2) now).
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Bowling Green?
Bowling Green's largest water system, WARREN COUNTY WATER DISTRICT, serves about 91,118 people. EPA records show 0 health-based violation(s) since 2016 and a most-recent 90th-percentile lead level of 2 ppb (EPA action level is 15 ppb). Always check your own provider's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
Where does Bowling Green get its water?
WARREN COUNTY WATER DISTRICT draws primarily from surface water (rivers/reservoirs), part of Kentucky's supply from Ohio River, Kentucky River, reservoirs.