Is Mount Olivet, KY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 23 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
80.5/100
waterverge.com Mount Olivet, KY — Water Quality Report
Mount Olivet's drinking water received a grade of B+ (80.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 775 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 39 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 23 remain unresolved.
What to know about Mount Olivet's water
Mount Olivet ranks #148 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, Mount Olivet may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Mount Olivet, KY water safe to drink?
Mount Olivet's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (80.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 775 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Mount Olivet
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Mount Olivet's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (80.5/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4218). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
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 Mount Olivet's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Mount Olivet's water system has 39 total violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 23 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Robertson County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters 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 Licking River, North Fork Licking River.
Where does Mount Olivet's water come from?
Mount Olivet's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 775 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Licking River (river), North Fork Licking River (river).
What Mount Olivet residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Mount Olivet'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.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtRobertson County is currently in D1 (moderate 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
Robertson County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2005. 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 Mount Olivet compares by contaminant
Explore where Mount Olivet ranks among all Kentucky cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Mount Olivet's water comes from
Mount Olivet'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 775 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Mount Olivet
Mount Olivet is located near 2 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Mount Olivet
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MT OLIVET WATER DEPARTMENT | KY1010297 | 775 | SWP |
How Mount Olivet compares
Full Kentucky rankings →Mount Olivet's score of 80.5/100 is on par with the average of 80/100 among major Kentucky cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Kentucky rankings →About Mount Olivet, KY
Wikipedia →Mount Olivet is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Robertson County, Kentucky, United States, located at the junction of U.S. Route 62 and Kentucky Route 165. The population was 347 at the 2020 United States census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Mount Olivet's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Robertson
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Olivet, KY tap water safe to drink?
Mount Olivet's water quality earned a grade of B+ (80.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #148 out of 246 cities tested in Kentucky.
What contaminants are in Mount Olivet's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 39 violations are on record.
How is Mount Olivet'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 Mount Olivet?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Mount Olivet's water come from?
Mount Olivet's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 775 residents.
What health violations has Mount Olivet's water system had?
Mount Olivet has 6 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2019. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 23 violations remain unresolved.
How does Mount Olivet's water compare to other cities?
Mount Olivet ranks #148 out of 246 cities in Kentucky (better than 40% of state cities) and #7854 out of 15744 cities nationally (50th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Mount Olivet's small water system affect quality?
Mount Olivet's system serves approximately 775 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 39 violations on record.