Is Symsonia, KY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A- — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
87.5/100
waterverge.com Symsonia, KY — Water Quality Report
Symsonia's drinking water received a grade of A- (87.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,810 residents using groundwater.
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 98 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 3 remain unresolved.
What to know about Symsonia's water
Symsonia ranks #59 out of 246 cities in Kentucky for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Symsonia relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Symsonia may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Symsonia, KY water safe to drink?
Symsonia's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,810 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Symsonia
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Symsonia's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (87.5/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4595). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: E. COLI.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4361). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Fluoride.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Symsonia's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Symsonia's water system has 98 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 3 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Graves County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1975. 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 Symsonia's water come from?
Symsonia's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,810 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Symsonia residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Symsonia'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.
Symsonia'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 Symsonia
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Symsonia, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 341,398 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
PILGRIMS PRIDE CORP MAYFIELD KY FACILITY HICKORY, KY42051 | Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution) | 341,396 | 9.3 mi |
MPLX TERMINALS LLC - PADUCAH KY TERMINAL PADUCAH, KY42003 | Xylene (mixed isomers) | 2 | 7.5 mi |
ARCOSA MARINE PRODUCTS INC PLT 1245 PADUCAH, KY42003 | — | — | 7.1 mi |
WORTHINGTON CYLINDERS PADUCAH PADUCAH, KY42003 | — | — | 9.3 mi |
AIRGAS USA LLC PADUCAH, KY42003 | — | — | 10.0 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtGraves 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
Graves County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Symsonia's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
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 |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.54 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 1.540 mg/L (2005)
EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
See how Symsonia compares by contaminant
Explore where Symsonia ranks among all Kentucky cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Symsonia's water comes from
Symsonia's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,810 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Symsonia
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SYMSONIA WATER DISTRICT | KY0420423 | 1,810 | GW |
How Symsonia compares
Full Kentucky rankings →Symsonia's score of 87.5/100 is above the average of 80/100 among major Kentucky cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Kentucky rankings →About Symsonia, KY
Wikipedia →Symsonia is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Graves County, Kentucky, United States. The community lies in the far northeastern part of the county, 13 miles (21 km) southeast of Paducah, 11 miles (18 km) northwest of Benton, and 15 miles (24 km) northeast of the county seat Mayfield, in the Jackson Purchase region of the state. As of the 2010 census, the population of Symsonia was 615.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Symsonia's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Graves
Frequently asked questions
Is Symsonia, KY tap water safe to drink?
Symsonia's water quality earned a grade of A- (87.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #59 out of 246 cities tested in Kentucky.
What contaminants are in Symsonia's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 98 violations are on record.
How is Symsonia'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 Symsonia?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Symsonia's water come from?
Symsonia's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,810 residents.
What health violations has Symsonia's water system had?
Symsonia has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2020. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.
Is Symsonia's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Symsonia 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 98 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 Symsonia's water compare to other cities?
Symsonia ranks #59 out of 246 cities in Kentucky (better than 76% of state cities) and #4023 out of 15744 cities nationally (75th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Symsonia's small water system affect quality?
Symsonia's system serves approximately 1,810 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 98 violations on record.