Is Tompkinsville, KY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B-, with 9 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
70.3/100
waterverge.com Tompkinsville, KY — Water Quality Report
Tompkinsville's drinking water received a grade of B- (70.3 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,404 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 7.0 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 110 violations on record, including 19 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
What to know about Tompkinsville's water
Tompkinsville ranks #201 out of 246 cities in Kentucky for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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.
Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.16 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.
While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection.
As a small community water system, Tompkinsville may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 6 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Tompkinsville, KY water safe to drink?
Tompkinsville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (70.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,404 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Tompkinsville
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Tompkinsville's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (70.3/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3231). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-265). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Tompkinsville's water supply.
Within EPA limits but above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended level of 1 ppb. An NSF 53-certified filter provides additional protection.
Violation history
Tompkinsville's water system has 110 total violations on record, including 19 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved. 6 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Monroe County has experienced 2 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.
Where does Tompkinsville's water come from?
Tompkinsville's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,404 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Tompkinsville residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Tompkinsville'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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
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 droughtMonroe 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
Monroe County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Tompkinsville'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. | 7.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Tompkinsville compares by contaminant
Explore where Tompkinsville ranks among all Kentucky cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Tompkinsville's water comes from
Tompkinsville'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 2,404 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Tompkinsville
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOMPKINSVILLE WATER WORKS | KY0860426 | 2,404 | SW |
How Tompkinsville compares
Full Kentucky rankings →Tompkinsville's score of 70.3/100 is below the average of 80/100 among major Kentucky cities. It outscores 1 of 10 nearby cities. 9 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Kentucky rankings →About Tompkinsville, KY
Wikipedia →Tompkinsville is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Monroe County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,309 at the 2020 census. The city was named after Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins who served under President James Monroe, for whom the county was named.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Tompkinsville's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Monroe
Frequently asked questions
Is Tompkinsville, KY tap water safe to drink?
Tompkinsville's water quality earned a grade of B- (70.3/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #201 out of 246 cities tested in Kentucky.
What contaminants are in Tompkinsville's water?
Lead was measured at 7.0 ppb (90th percentile). 110 violations are on record.
How is Tompkinsville'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 Tompkinsville?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Tompkinsville's water come from?
Tompkinsville's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,404 residents.
What health violations has Tompkinsville's water system had?
Tompkinsville has 19 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 9 violations remain unresolved.
How does Tompkinsville's water compare to other cities?
Tompkinsville ranks #201 out of 246 cities in Kentucky (better than 18% of state cities) and #10761 out of 15744 cities nationally (32th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Tompkinsville's small water system affect quality?
Tompkinsville's system serves approximately 2,404 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 110 violations on record.