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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
EPA records for ASHLAND WATER WORKS • Updated October 2026
Grade B — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
ASHLAND WATER WORKS is in good standing with EPA, with only minor deductions for monitoring paperwork, low-level PFAS or historical readings near a limit.
Yes — by EPA's records Ashland, KY tap water is safe to drink and earns a B. The grade rests on lead at 14 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb and low-level PFAS (PFPeA) detected below federal limits. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes — by EPA's records Ashland, KY tap water is safe to drink and earns a B. The grade rests on lead at 14 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb and low-level PFAS (PFPeA) detected below federal limits. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
ASHLAND WATER WORKS's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31) was 14 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2024-05-16 to 2025-02-13) detected PFPeA, all below federal MCLs. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
ASHLAND WATER WORKS has 17 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 0 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
ASHLAND WATER WORKS reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 44,402 people (EPA PWSID KY0100011).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles lead, PFAS and improves taste.
Compare filter options for your Ashland tap water
Lead was found at 14 ppb (90th percentile) in Ashland's latest tap sampling — below the action level, but there is no safe level of lead.
See the filters matched to Ashland's EPA results → — which certification actually removes what was found here, and what it does not touch.
Unsure which contaminants to treat? Compare home kits and certified lab testing before buying.
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ASHLAND WATER WORKS · SDWIS records since 2016 · 5-year window starts 2021-09-13
EPA records no health-based violations for this system in the last five years. Older health-based violations (since 2016) are listed below for context.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTTHM | MCL exceeded | 2017-04-01 → 2017-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2017-06-30 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTTHM | MCL exceeded | 2017-01-01 → 2017-03-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-03-31 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTotal Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL exceeded | 2016-10-01 → 2016-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2016-12-31 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTTHM | MCL exceeded | 2016-10-01 → 2016-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2016-12-31 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTotal Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL exceeded | 2016-07-01 → 2016-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2016-09-30 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, AverageTTHM | MCL exceeded | 2016-07-01 → 2016-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2016-09-30 |
| Monitoring, Routine (RTCR)Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | 2019-06-01 → 2019-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2019-06-30 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)TTHM | Monitoring & reporting | 2018-09-01 → 2018-11-30 | Resolvedreturned 2018-11-30 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & reporting | 2018-09-01 → 2018-11-30 | Resolvedreturned 2018-11-30 |
| Monitoring, Routine (RTCR)Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | 2018-08-01 → 2018-08-31 | Resolvedreturned 2018-08-31 |
| Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR)Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring & reporting | 2018-05-01 → 2018-05-31 | Resolvedreturned 2018-05-31 |
| Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR)Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring & reporting | 2018-04-01 → 2018-04-30 | Resolvedreturned 2018-04-30 |
| Monitoring, Routine (RTCR)Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | 2017-09-01 → 2017-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2017-09-30 |
| Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR)Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-08-01 → 2017-08-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-08-31 |
| Failure Submit IDSE/Subpart V Plan RptTTHM | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-04-01 | Resolvedreturned 2017-09-26 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)TTHM | Monitoring & reporting | 2016-02-29 → 2016-05-31 | Resolvedreturned 2016-05-31 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & reporting | 2016-02-29 → 2016-05-31 | Resolvedreturned 2016-05-31 |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_VIOLATIONS_ENFORCEMENT.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported by ASHLAND WATER WORKS
Below the action level, but detectable. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31), 90% of the homes ASHLAND WATER WORKS sampled had lead at or below 14 ppb.
EPA's action level is 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb under the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). There is no safe level of lead; the 90th-percentile figure describes the system, not your tap — homes with lead service lines or pre-1986 plumbing can be higher.
| Monitoring period | Lead 90th percentile | vs 15 ppb action level |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | 14 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2018-01-01 → 2020-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2015-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | 4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2012-01-01 → 2014-12-31 | 4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2009-01-01 → 2011-12-31 | 3 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2006-01-01 → 2008-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2003-01-01 → 2005-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 1999-01-01 → 2001-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 1996-01-01 → 1998-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 1995-01-01 → 1995-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 1994-01-01 → 1994-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 1993-01-01 → 1993-06-30 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_LCR_SAMPLES.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA UCMR5 monitoring, 2024-05-16 to 2025-02-13 · 116 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
PFPeA detected at low levels; no compound was at or above its federal MCL. Detections below the MCL are common in surface-water systems and are reported here exactly as EPA published them.
| Compound | Detects / samples | Max (ppt) | Reporting limit | EPA MCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 0 / 4 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 0 / 4 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 0 / 4 | < 3 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 4 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 0 / 4 | < 5 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 0 / 4 | < 3 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFPeA | 2 / 4 | 24 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
“< 4 ppt” means below the laboratory reporting limit, not zero. ppt = parts per trillion (ng/L). Results are for finished water leaving the treatment plant.
What PFAS are and how to remove them → · Best filters for PFAS →
Source: UCMR5 occurrence data, EPA Data Summary July 2026 (UCMR5_All.txt)
EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance samples for ASHLAND WATER WORKS · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples ASHLAND WATER WORKS reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Total trihalomethanes (TTHM), Haloacetic acids (HAA5) are flagged below; the status column explains why. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 81 detects | 0.063 µg/L | 0.5 µg/L | 10 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Nitrate (as N) | 8 | 0.667 mg/L | 0.8 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Fluoride | 1513 detects | 0.473 mg/L | 1.1 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 81 detects | 0.7 µg/L | 5.6 µg/L | 100 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Radium-226/228 | 2 | 2.375 pCi/L | 3.25 pCi/L | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Gross alpha | 1 | 6.77 pCi/L | 6.77 pCi/L | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 134 | 63.571 µg/L | 174 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | 39 single samples over MCL; average within limit |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 134 | 34.465 µg/L | 113.6 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | 11 single samples over MCL; average within limit |
| Lead (tap samples) | 6022 detects | 1.633 µg/L | 12 µg/L | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 6866 detects | 57.559 µg/L | 970 µg/L | 1300 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
Averages count non-detects as zero. TTHM and HAA5 limits are locational running annual averages, so a single high sample is not a violation — we grade those on the average only. Lead and copper rows are individual tap samples and are shown for context; compliance (and our score) uses the 90th-percentile result above. LRAA = locational running annual average; ND = not detected.
Source: SYR4 Six-Year Review compliance monitoring data 2012–2019 (released 2024-03)
A point-of-use (under-sink) system typically runs $200-$600 installed; whole-house treatment $1,000-$3,000+ depending on flow and what has to come out. Tell us where you are and a certified water-treatment installer serving Ashland will follow up - no obligation.
ASHLAND WATER WORKS · 14,058 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
ASHLAND WATER WORKS reports no confirmed lead service lines, but 12,744 lines (91%) have not yet been verified, so lead cannot be ruled out for those homes. Utilities must keep investigating unknown lines under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory (Q2 2026) · PWS ID KY0100011 · See all Kentucky lead service lines. We may earn a commission from filters and test kits, at no extra cost to you.
Surface-water systems draw from rivers, lakes or reservoirs and must filter and disinfect, which is why disinfection byproducts (TTHM, HAA5) are the readings to watch.
How to test your tap water and the treatment options that actually fit Ashland homes
The most reliable way to know what is actually coming out of your tap is a certified mail-in lab test. City-wide EPA data (like the report above) reflects the water leaving the treatment plant, but contaminants such as lead and copper can be picked up from your own service line and household plumbing — so the water at your Ashland faucet can differ from the system average. A state-certified lab measures dozens of contaminants at once with results you can trust; you can also find one near you through the EPA's certified-lab list at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Hardware-store test strips are cheaper and instant, but they only screen for a few basics (chlorine, hardness, pH, and a rough lead pass/fail) and are far less accurate — treat them as a first look, not a diagnosis.
Match the treatment to what your test finds. Reverse osmosis (RO) removes the widest range of contaminants — lead, arsenic, nitrate, PFAS, and dissolved solids — which makes an under-sink reverse osmosis system the most thorough choice for Ashland households with heavy-metal or PFAS concerns. If your main issue is taste, odor, or chlorine, an activated carbon filter (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) is simpler and cheaper and handles chlorine and many organic compounds well, though carbon alone does not remove arsenic, nitrate, or most PFAS. NSF-certified pitchers rated for lead reduction are the easiest way to start today while you decide on a permanent setup.
We may earn a commission from testing kits and filters purchased through these links, at no extra cost to you.
What Ashland residents measured at their own tap (ZIPs 41101, 41102). All reader results →
Reader submissions are unverified and shown separately from EPA data. They reflect one tap on one day, not the utility's compliance record.
No reader results for Ashland yet - yours would be the first. A hardness or TDS number from a $10 strip kit is enough to start the map.
Help build the first reader-sourced water map. Enter whatever your test strip, TDS pen or lab report shows - one number is enough.
Ashland ranks #19 of 23 graded Kentucky cities.
Deep-dive guides for the specific contaminants EPA data flagged in Ashland's water, with removal options for each.
Yes — by EPA's records Ashland, KY tap water is safe to drink and earns a B. The grade rests on lead at 14 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb and low-level PFAS (PFPeA) detected below federal limits. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
ASHLAND WATER WORKS's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31) was 14 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2024-05-16 to 2025-02-13) detected PFPeA, all below federal MCLs. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
ASHLAND WATER WORKS has 17 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 0 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
ASHLAND WATER WORKS reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 44,402 people (EPA PWSID KY0100011).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles lead, PFAS and improves taste.
Lead was found at 14 ppb (90th percentile) in Ashland's latest tap sampling — below the action level, but there is no safe level of lead.
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Filters rated for lead reduction
Waterdrop's lead collection — every filter here is selected for lead reduction, so you can compare options rated for this exact problem.
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Whole-house system — treats every tap at the source
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Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
Find the right filter for your Ashland water quality needs:
Tap water is one piece of the picture — our sister sites cover the rest for Ashland, KY.
County radon prediction and EPA zone for homes around Ashland.
Arsenic and nitrate risk for homes on a well instead of city water.
Understand your water better with our in-depth guides on contaminants, filtration, and water safety.