Is Crab Orchard, KY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B, with 16 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
77.1/100
waterverge.com Crab Orchard, KY — Water Quality Report
Crab Orchard's drinking water received a grade of B (77.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,488 residents using purchased surface 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 38 violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved.
What to know about Crab Orchard's water
Crab Orchard ranks #174 out of 246 cities in Kentucky for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Crab Orchard may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Crab Orchard, KY water safe to drink?
Crab Orchard's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (77.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,488 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Crab Orchard
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Crab Orchard's water quality assessment. Grade: B (77.1/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4663). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4595). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Crab Orchard's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Crab Orchard's water system has 38 total violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Lincoln County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1970. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Crab Orchard's water come from?
Crab Orchard's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,488 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Crab Orchard residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Crab Orchard's water.
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.
Crab Orchard's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtLincoln County is currently in D3 (extreme 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.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Lincoln County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1970. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Crab Orchard compares by contaminant
Explore where Crab Orchard ranks among all Kentucky cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Crab Orchard's water comes from
Crab Orchard's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,488 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Crab Orchard
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRAB ORCHARD WATER DISTRICT | KY0690089 | 1,488 | SWP |
How Crab Orchard compares
Full Kentucky rankings →Crab Orchard's score of 77.1/100 is on par with the average of 80/100 among major Kentucky cities. It outscores 2 of 10 nearby cities. 8 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Kentucky rankings →About Crab Orchard, KY
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Crab Orchard's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Lincoln
Frequently asked questions
Is Crab Orchard, KY tap water safe to drink?
Crab Orchard's water quality earned a grade of B (77.1/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #174 out of 246 cities tested in Kentucky.
What contaminants are in Crab Orchard's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 38 violations are on record.
How is Crab Orchard'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 Crab Orchard?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Crab Orchard's water come from?
Crab Orchard's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,488 residents.
What health violations has Crab Orchard's water system had?
Crab Orchard has 9 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in April 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 16 violations remain unresolved.
How does Crab Orchard's water compare to other cities?
Crab Orchard ranks #174 out of 246 cities in Kentucky (better than 29% of state cities) and #9106 out of 15744 cities nationally (42th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Crab Orchard's small water system affect quality?
Crab Orchard's system serves approximately 1,488 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 38 violations on record.