HAA5 Contamination

HAA5 in Kentucky Drinking Water

Ranked by average HAA5 concentration (µg/L) · UCMR 4 data (2018–2020) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

% Exceeds Limit

29.4 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

222

Health Violations

Analysis

HAA5 in Kentucky: what the data shows

Kentucky has 93 cities with HAA5 monitoring data from the EPA's UCMR 4 program (2018–2020). Haloacetic acids (HAA5) form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with natural organic matter in water. The state average is 29.4 µg/L — better than the 15.5 µg/L national average. 1 city exceeds the EPA MCL of 60 µg/L. HAA5 is a group of five chlorinated and brominated acetic acids. Long-term exposure above the MCL is associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive outcomes. The EPA classifies total HAA5 as a probable human carcinogen at elevated concentrations. Activated carbon filtration (especially granular or block carbon) is effective at reducing HAA5. Running water through a refrigerator filter or letting it sit in an open pitcher for 30 minutes also helps, as some HAA5 species are volatile. Boiling does not remove disinfection byproducts and may concentrate them.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 60 µg/L EPA MCL

Kentucky

1 of 93 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

23 of 4420 cities

City Map

HAA5 data across Kentucky

Each dot is a city with UCMR 4 HAA5 testing data. Cities where average HAA5 exceeded the 60 µg/L EPA MCL are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by haa5 level in Kentucky

Highest HAA5 levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Kentucky cities ranked by haa5 level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Eubank	60.0 µg/L	Yes	10	A-
2	Hartford	59.5 µg/L	No	77	C
3	Paris	56.3 µg/L	No	39	C+
4	Springfield	53.4 µg/L	No	6	A
5	Frenchburg	53.4 µg/L	No	4	A-
6	Middlesboro	51.4 µg/L	No	1	A-
7	Brownsville	50.2 µg/L	No	26	D+
8	Mt Sterling	49.6 µg/L	No	118	D
9	Berea	49.5 µg/L	No	30	A-
10	Greenville	49.5 µg/L	No	17	C+
11	Russell Springs	49.4 µg/L	No	10	B+
12	Morehead	49.2 µg/L	No	45	C+
13	Winchester	46.8 µg/L	No	25	B+
14	Bowling Green	46.6 µg/L	No	16	B
15	Prestonsburg	46.6 µg/L	No	11	A-
16	Greenup	46.0 µg/L	No	54	B-
17	Salem	46.0 µg/L	No	10	B+
18	Scottsville	42.6 µg/L	No	5	B+
19	Madisonville	41.4 µg/L	No	15	B+
20	Grennsburg	40.7 µg/L	No	11	A-
21	Lancaster	40.6 µg/L	No	13	B+
22	Albany	40.5 µg/L	No	21	B-
23	Science Hill	39.1 µg/L	No	3	A-
24	Lawrenceburg	38.9 µg/L	No	19	B
25	Bardstown	38.8 µg/L	No	13	B+
26	Henderson	37.8 µg/L	No	7	B
27	Cynthiana	37.7 µg/L	No	29	C+
28	Versailles	37.4 µg/L	No	7	B+
29	Mckee	37.2 µg/L	No	60	B-
30	Grayson	36.4 µg/L	No	26	B-
31	Somerset	35.9 µg/L	No	4	B+
32	Ashland	34.8 µg/L	No	37	C+
33	Nicholasville	34.0 µg/L	No	38	C-
34	Cadiz	34.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
35	Lebanon	33.7 µg/L	No	11	A-
36	Horse Cave	33.4 µg/L	No	3	A-
37	Campbellsville	33.3 µg/L	No	25	B
38	Mt Vernon	32.8 µg/L	No	2	A-
39	Corbin	32.5 µg/L	No	9	B
40	Hopkinsville	32.1 µg/L	No	15	A-
41	Catlettsburg	32.1 µg/L	No	24	C-
42	Paducah	31.8 µg/L	No	4	A-
43	Russell	31.8 µg/L	No	18	A-
44	Liberty	31.6 µg/L	No	32	C+
45	Manchester	30.7 µg/L	No	16	C
46	Sedalia	30.3 µg/L	No	5	B
47	Franklin	30.3 µg/L	No	2	A-
48	Whitley City	29.9 µg/L	No	3	A
49	Dawson Springs, Ky 42408	29.8 µg/L	No	3	A-
50	Paintsville	29.6 µg/L	No	10	A-
51	Flemingsburg	29.6 µg/L	No	13	B+
52	Pineville	28.7 µg/L	No	14	C+
53	Maysville	28.2 µg/L	No	8	B-
54	Baxter	28.0 µg/L	No	16	F
55	Frankfort	27.6 µg/L	No	7	C+
56	Glasgow	27.6 µg/L	No	3	A
57	Richmond	27.4 µg/L	No	11	B
58	London	27.1 µg/L	No	19	B-
59	Leitchfield	26.5 µg/L	No	9	A-
60	Falmouth	26.4 µg/L	No	19	C+
61	Danville	25.3 µg/L	No	10	A-
62	Hazard	25.2 µg/L	No	21	B-
63	Coxs Creek	23.9 µg/L	No	7	B+
64	Calhoun	23.0 µg/L	No	21	C
65	Louisville	22.5 µg/L	No	7	B+
66	Lexington	22.4 µg/L	No	31	B
67	Barbourville	21.8 µg/L	No	10	C+
68	Monticello	21.8 µg/L	No	7	A-
69	Shelbyville	21.6 µg/L	No	4	A-
70	Elizabethtown	20.9 µg/L	No	3	B+
71	Eddyville	20.7 µg/L	No	9	A-
72	Georgetown	18.9 µg/L	No	3	B+
73	Mcdoqwell	17.4 µg/L	No	26	C+
74	Pikeville	17.0 µg/L	No	79	D
75	Bagdad	13.8 µg/L	No	1	B+
76	Bradenburg	13.7 µg/L	No	2	A-
77	Crittenden	11.3 µg/L	No	9	A-
78	Campbellsburg	10.8 µg/L	No	5	A-
79	Ft. Campbell	10.6 µg/L	No	0	C+
80	Burlington	10.1 µg/L	No	6	B
81	Radcliff	10.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
82	Florence	8.6 µg/L	No	4	A
83	Taylorsville	8.4 µg/L	No	1	A-
84	Knottsville	8.1 µg/L	No	4	B+
85	Mt Washington	8.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
86	Owensboro	7.9 µg/L	No	5	A-
87	Buckner	6.2 µg/L	No	3	A
88	Ft. Thomas	5.6 µg/L	No	0	A-
89	Mayfield	2.2 µg/L	No	3	C-
90	Murray	1.1 µg/L	No	1	C-
91	Hardinsburg	1.1 µg/L	No	29	A-
92	Benton	0.8 µg/L	No	14	C+
93	Cloverport	0.2 µg/L	No	12	A-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about haa5 in Kentucky

What is HAA5 and why does it appear in Kentucky tap water?

HAA5 (haloacetic acids) are disinfection byproducts that form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in source water. They are a normal byproduct of the disinfection process that makes water safe to drink. 1 cities in Kentucky exceed the EPA MCL of 60 µg/L. The state average is 29.4 µg/L.

How can I reduce HAA5 exposure from Kentucky drinking water?

Activated carbon filters (granular or block) effectively reduce HAA5. Refrigerator filters and under-sink carbon systems are convenient options. Unlike lead or PFAS, HAA5 levels can also be reduced by letting water stand in an open container, as some species evaporate. Boiling does NOT remove HAA5 and can concentrate them by reducing water volume.

Which Kentucky cities have the highest HAA5 levels?

The cities with the highest average HAA5 concentrations in Kentucky are: Eubank (60.0 µg/L), Hartford (59.5 µg/L), Paris (56.3 µg/L), Springfield (53.4 µg/L), Frenchburg (53.4 µg/L). Note: this data is from UCMR 4 testing (2018–2020) and may not reflect current levels.

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