Is New Castle, KY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
91.3/100
waterverge.com New Castle, KY — Water Quality Report
New Castle's drinking water received a grade of A (91.3 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,100 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 8 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
What to know about New Castle's water
New Castle ranks #7 out of 246 cities in Kentucky for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
New Castle 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, New Castle may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is New Castle, KY water safe to drink?
New Castle's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A (91.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,100 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for New Castle
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New Castle's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.3/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4361). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3231). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Asbestos.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for New Castle's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
New Castle's water system has 8 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Henry County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1978. 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 New Castle's water come from?
New Castle's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,100 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What New Castle residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in New Castle'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.
New Castle'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 New Castle
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near New Castle, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 0 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
ARVIN SANGO INC CAMPBELLSBURG, KY40011 | Nickel | 0 | 6.5 mi |
LIBERTAS COPPER LLC. EMINENCE, KY40019 | — | — | 5.4 mi |
STEEL TECHNOLOGIES LLC EMINENCE, KY40019 | — | — | 5.2 mi |
SAFETY-KLEEN SYSTEMS INC. SMITHFIELD, KY40068 | — | — | 3.4 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Henry County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1978. 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 New Castle compares by contaminant
Explore where New Castle ranks among all Kentucky cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where New Castle's water comes from
New Castle 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 New Castle'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 2,100 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving New Castle
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW CASTLE WATER WORKS | KY0520520 | 2,100 | GWP |
How New Castle compares
Full Kentucky rankings →New Castle's score of 91.3/100 is above the average of 80/100 among major Kentucky cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Kentucky rankings →About New Castle, KY
Wikipedia →New Castle is a home rule-class city in Henry County, Kentucky, United States. It is the seat of its county. As of the 2020 census, New Castle had a population of 884. African Americans attended New Castle Colored School prior to integration.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to New Castle's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Henry
Frequently asked questions
Is New Castle, KY tap water safe to drink?
New Castle's water quality earned a grade of A (91.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #7 out of 246 cities tested in Kentucky.
What contaminants are in New Castle's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 8 violations are on record.
How is New Castle'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 New Castle?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Castle's water come from?
New Castle's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,100 residents.
Is New Castle's groundwater at risk of contamination?
New Castle 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 8 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 New Castle's water compare to other cities?
New Castle ranks #7 out of 246 cities in Kentucky (better than 97% of state cities) and #1765 out of 15744 cities nationally (89th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does New Castle's small water system affect quality?
New Castle's system serves approximately 2,100 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 8 violations on record.