Is Morgantown, KY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 14 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
82/100
waterverge.com Morgantown, KY — Water Quality Report
Morgantown's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,628 residents using 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 59 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved.
What to know about Morgantown's water
Morgantown ranks #138 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, Morgantown may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Morgantown, KY water safe to drink?
Morgantown's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (82/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,628 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Morgantown
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Morgantown's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (82/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4361). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4218). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Morgantown's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Morgantown's water system has 59 total violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Butler County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1969. 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 Green River.
Where does Morgantown's water come from?
Morgantown's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,628 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Green River (river).
What Morgantown residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Morgantown'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.
Morgantown'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
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Morgantown
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Morgantown, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 57 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
REAL ALLOY RECYCLING LLC MORGANTOWN, KY42261 | Copper compounds | 57 | 1.2 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtButler 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
Butler County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1969. 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 Morgantown compares by contaminant
Explore where Morgantown ranks among all Kentucky cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Morgantown's water comes from
Morgantown'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 2,628 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Morgantown
Morgantown is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Morgantown
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MORGANTOWN WATER SYSTEM | KY0160294 | 2,628 | SW |
How Morgantown compares
Full Kentucky rankings →Morgantown's score of 82/100 is on par with the average of 80/100 among major Kentucky cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Kentucky rankings →About Morgantown, KY
Wikipedia →Morgantown is a home rule-class city in, and the seat of Butler County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,471 at the time of the 2020 Census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Morgantown's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Butler
Frequently asked questions
Is Morgantown, KY tap water safe to drink?
Morgantown's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #138 out of 246 cities tested in Kentucky.
What contaminants are in Morgantown's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 59 violations are on record.
How is Morgantown'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 Morgantown?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Morgantown's water come from?
Morgantown's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,628 residents.
What health violations has Morgantown's water system had?
Morgantown has 6 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 14 violations remain unresolved.
How does Morgantown's water compare to other cities?
Morgantown ranks #138 out of 246 cities in Kentucky (better than 44% of state cities) and #7219 out of 15744 cities nationally (54th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Morgantown's small water system affect quality?
Morgantown's system serves approximately 2,628 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 59 violations on record.