WaterVerge

Is Cloverport, KY Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 17 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: KY0140079
Overall Score
86.2 / 100
Violations
17 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased ground water
#81 of 246 in Kentucky Top 31% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
86.2/100
waterverge.com
A- 86.2/100

Cloverport, KY — Water Quality Report

Cloverport's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,560 residents using purchased ground water.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 50 violations on record, including 12 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Cloverport's water

Cloverport ranks #81 out of 246 cities in Kentucky for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Cloverport purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.

As a small community water system, Cloverport may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
86.2 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
38.7/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17.5/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Purchased ground water.
Water Safety

Is Cloverport, KY water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Cloverport's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,560 residents using groundwater (wells).

17
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 event
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Cloverport

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Cloverport's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Public Notice, Consumer Confidence Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3231). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Cloverport's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Cloverport's water system has 50 total violations on record, including 12 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

MONOtherMCLMR
Most recent violations:
Aug 2022 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jul 2018 Public Notice Open
Jul 2018 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2018 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jun 2018 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Breckinridge County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Ohio River.

HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3231

Where does Cloverport's water come from?

Cloverport's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,560 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Ohio River (river).

What Cloverport residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Cloverport's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
HAA5 (Disinfection Byproducts)
Disinfection Byproduct
Safe
0.2 µg/L
EPA MCL: 60 µg/L · 0% of limit
Within LimitUCMR 4 DataHAA6Br: 0.0 µg/LHAA9: 0.2 µg/L
Manganese
Inorganic
Detected
1.5 µg/L
EPA Secondary MCL: 50 µg/L · 3% of limit
DetectedUCMR 4 Data
Compliance Record

Violation summary

50
Total violations
12
Health-based
17
Active / unresolved
Aug 2022
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

50 Total
17 Active
12 Health-based
33 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
15
Consumer Confidence Rule
11
Total Coliform Rule
9
Revised Total Coliform Rule
3
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
3
Jul 2018 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2018 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2017 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Nov 2015 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2015 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2014 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Nov 2013 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2010 Active
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2009 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2007 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2001 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2001 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 1994 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Aug 2022 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Aug 2022
Jul 2018 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 2018
Jun 2018 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Jun 2018
Showing 20 of 50 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Cloverport

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Cloverport, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

Total reported releases to surface water: 45,096 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
DOMTAR PAPER CO LLC HAWESVILLE MILL
Paper · DOMTAR CORP
HAWESVILLE, KY42348
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)45,0965.4 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Breckinridge County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

3
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
5.3%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
3
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

1
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Breckinridge County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA #3231

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 0.0 ppb from 1994 (0.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,560
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Cloverport's water comes from

Purchased Groundwater

Cloverport purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.

Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Cloverport's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.

Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,560 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Cloverport

Cloverport is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Ohio River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Cloverport

System Name PWSID Population Source
CLOVERPORT WATER & SEWER SYSTEM KY0140079 1,560 GWP
Regional Comparison

How Cloverport compares

Full Kentucky rankings →

Cloverport's score of 86.2/100 is above the average of 80/100 among major Kentucky cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Cloverport (this city)
86.2
Louisville
82.2
Ft. Thomas
86.8
Owensboro
85.1
Kentucky avg
80
City Profile

About Cloverport, KY

Wikipedia →

Cloverport is a home rule-class city in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, United States, on the banks of the Ohio River. As of the 2020 census, Cloverport had a population of 1,119.

Economic Profile
$33,250
Median Income
$77,253
Median Home Value
$291/mo
Median Rent
18.1%
Unemployment
Community
46.6
Median Age
313
People / sq mi
3.9%
College Educated
65.2%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Cloverport, KY tap water safe to drink?

Cloverport's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #81 out of 246 cities tested in Kentucky.

What contaminants are in Cloverport's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 50 violations are on record.

How is Cloverport's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Cloverport?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Cloverport's water come from?

Cloverport's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,560 residents.

What health violations has Cloverport's water system had?

Cloverport has 12 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 17 violations remain unresolved.

Is Cloverport's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Cloverport uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 50 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Cloverport's water compare to other cities?

Cloverport ranks #81 out of 246 cities in Kentucky (better than 67% of state cities) and #4865 out of 15744 cities nationally (69th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Cloverport's small water system affect quality?

Cloverport's system serves approximately 1,560 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 50 violations on record.