Lead pipes in Kentucky
Kentucky's 372 community water systems reported 5,248 lead and 22,788 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 423,712 of unknown material. That ranks #21 among states for confirmed lead lines.
- Lead 0.3%
- Galvanized (replace) 1.2%
- Unknown 22%
- Non-lead 76%
1.5% of the service lines Kentucky utilities reported are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, well below the national share of 3.1%. 22% are still unidentified (national: 21%). The largest counts are in Northern Kentucky Water District (4,108), Bowling Green Municipal Utilities (3,703), Louisville Water Company (2,547). 2 systems haven't reported counts yet.
Since 2025 Q1, reported lead and galvanized lines in Kentucky went from 27,904 to 28,036 (up 132). See which systems made the most progress.
Systems with confirmed lead lines (122)
Showing the 100 with the most. All Kentucky water systems
No confirmed lead, but unknown lines remain (93)
Showing 50. See all
No lead or unknown lines reported (127)
Systems serving 1,000 or more people. Systems without counts on file are listed as 0.
Showing the 50 largest. See all
Lead pipes in Kentucky cities
- Lexington67 lead + galv. lines
- Bowling Green3,703 lead + galv. lines
- Owensborono lead reported
- Covington4,108 lead + galv. lines
- Georgetown67 lead + galv. lines
- Richmond6,116 unknown
- Elizabethtownno lead reported
- Florence59 lead + galv. lines
- Nicholasvilleno lead reported
- Hopkinsville1,949 lead + galv. lines
- Independence4,108 lead + galv. lines
- Jeffersontown2,547 lead + galv. lines
- Frankfort30 lead + galv. lines
- Henderson2,021 lead + galv. lines
- Radcliffno lead reported
- Erlanger4,108 lead + galv. lines
- Madisonville9 lead + galv. lines
- Winchester16 lead + galv. lines
- Mount Washington3,408 unknown
- Murray23 lead + galv. lines
- Shelbyville157 lead + galv. lines
- St. Matthews2,547 lead + galv. lines
- Danville8,064 unknown
- Fort Thomas4,108 lead + galv. lines
- Berea4,230 unknown
- Shively2,547 lead + galv. lines
- Shepherdsville2,547 lead + galv. lines
- Bardstown105 lead + galv. lines
- Newport4,108 lead + galv. lines
- Somerset2,665 unknown
Kentucky lead pipe questions
How many lead pipes are in Kentucky?
Kentucky's community water systems reported 5,248 lead service lines and 22,788 galvanized lines that must be replaced, for 28,036 in total. Another 423,712 lines are of unknown material.
Which Kentucky water systems have the most lead pipes?
Northern Kentucky Water District (4,108), Bowling Green Municipal Utilities (3,703), Louisville Water Company (2,547). Counts are lead plus galvanized-requiring-replacement lines.
What share of Kentucky service lines are lead?
1.5% of reported service lines in Kentucky are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, well below the national figure of 3.1%. 22% are still unknown, compared with 21% nationally.
How do I find out if my Kentucky home has a lead service line?
Search for your water system or ZIP code above, then open your utility's address-level inventory map. You can also check the pipe where it enters your home with a scratch and magnet test.
Source: EPA SDWIS service line inventory, 2026 Q3. Smaller systems with no lead or unknown lines are omitted. See also national rankings.