Is Independence, KY tap water safe?
Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it
Summary
No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Northern Kentucky Water District. 1 PFAS were detected below the limits.
2 public water systems serve parts of Independence. The largest, Northern Kentucky Water District, serves 259,949 people. Your water bill names your system.
Largest system
Northern Kentucky Water District
259,949 people · Surface water · EPA ID KY0590220
| PFAS | Highest average | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFOS Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| PFNA Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.
Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0
Across Kentucky, 9 of 230 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 0 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Kentucky results.
Independence homes and lead pipes
Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. How to check your own line.
Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Independence city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
Other water systems serving Independence
- Western Fleming Water District4,262 people · Surface water · Kentucky · reported ZIPs hereNo PFAS above limits
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| Covington 6 mi Northern Kentucky Water District | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| Florence 6 mi Boone County Water & Sewer District | None above limits | 1 ppb |
| Georgetown 48 mi Georgetown Municipal Water Service | Above limit | 5 ppb |
| Frankfort 55 mi Frankfort Plant Board | None above limits | 2 ppb |
| Lexington 63 mi Kentucky American Water | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| Nicholasville 74 mi Nicholasville Water Department | None above limits | 0 ppb |
Independence ZIP codes (1)
- 41051
Questions
Is Independence tap water safe to drink?
Northern Kentucky Water District has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.
Who supplies water in Independence, KY?
2 public water systems serve parts of Independence. The largest is Northern Kentucky Water District (259,949 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.
Does Independence tap water have PFAS?
Northern Kentucky Water District had 1 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.
Do Independence homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 26% of Independence homes as built before 1980 (Kentucky: 47%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Northern Kentucky Water District's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.
Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.