Strontium Contamination

Strontium in Kentucky Drinking Water

Ranked by max strontium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

101

Cities Tested

Over HRL

% Over HRL

263.3 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 6% vs national

vs National

222

Health Violations

Analysis

Strontium in Kentucky: what the data shows

Kentucky has 101 cities with strontium data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Strontium was detected above the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level in 0 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 263.3 µg/L. Strontium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in areas with limestone and dolomite geology. It can also enter water from industrial waste and mining operations. There is no federal MCL for strontium, but the EPA established a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L. Long-term exposure to strontium above the HRL may affect bone health, particularly in children, by substituting for calcium in developing bones. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1,500 µg/L EPA HRL (no MCL)

Kentucky

0 of 101 cities

← ▼ 6% below national rate (better)

National avg

250 of 4371 cities

City Map

Strontium data across Kentucky

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 strontium testing data. Cities where strontium exceeds the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by strontium level in Kentucky

Highest Strontium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Kentucky cities ranked by strontium level

#	City	Level	Over HRL?	Violations	Grade
1	Hazard	1150.0 µg/L	No	21	B-
2	Vicco	980.0 µg/L	No	11	B+
3	Catlettsburg	900.0 µg/L	No	24	C-
4	Mcdoqwell	888.0 µg/L	No	26	C+
5	Hopkinsville	877.0 µg/L	No	15	A-
6	Harlan	800.0 µg/L	No	2	A
7	Richmond	745.0 µg/L	No	11	B
8	Prestonsburg	730.0 µg/L	No	11	A-
9	Pikeville	720.0 µg/L	No	79	D
10	Irvine,	701.0 µg/L	No	11	B
11	Florence	690.0 µg/L	No	4	A
12	Lancaster	690.0 µg/L	No	13	B+
13	Lynch	676.0 µg/L	No	11	C-
14	Winchester	600.0 µg/L	No	25	B+
15	Nicholasville	530.0 µg/L	No	38	C-
16	Lexington	515.1 µg/L	No	31	B
17	Inez	440.0 µg/L	No	48	B-
18	Harrodsburg	420.0 µg/L	No	8	A-
19	Elizabethtown	370.0 µg/L	No	3	B+
20	Ft. Campbell	360.0 µg/L	No	0	C+
21	Lawrenceburg	340.0 µg/L	No	19	B
22	Maysville	325.0 µg/L	No	8	B-
23	Burlington	320.0 µg/L	No	6	B
24	Frankfort	312.0 µg/L	No	7	C+
25	Ashland	307.0 µg/L	No	37	C+
26	Georgetown	302.0 µg/L	No	3	B+
27	Ft. Thomas	290.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
28	Taylorsville	290.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
29	Hartford	290.0 µg/L	No	77	C
30	Radcliff	285.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
31	Bradenburg	277.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
32	Coxs Creek	270.0 µg/L	No	7	B+
33	Salvisa	270.0 µg/L	No	7	B+
34	London	269.0 µg/L	No	19	B-
35	Franklin	260.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
36	Bowling Green	259.0 µg/L	No	16	B
37	Louisville	250.0 µg/L	No	7	B+
38	Henderson	250.0 µg/L	No	7	B
39	Cynthiana	230.0 µg/L	No	29	C+
40	Versailles	230.0 µg/L	No	7	B+
41	Dixon	212.0 µg/L	No	29	B-
42	Benton	206.0 µg/L	No	14	C+
43	Glasgow	205.0 µg/L	No	3	A
44	Greenville	201.0 µg/L	No	17	C+
45	Brownsville	200.0 µg/L	No	26	D+
46	Campbellsburg	200.0 µg/L	No	5	A-
47	Crittenden	189.0 µg/L	No	9	A-
48	Mt Washington	180.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
49	Cadiz	180.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
50	Pineville	180.0 µg/L	No	14	C+
51	Russell Springs	170.0 µg/L	No	10	B+
52	Leitchfield	160.0 µg/L	No	9	A-
53	Bagdad	160.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
54	Manchester	160.0 µg/L	No	16	C
55	Paris	160.0 µg/L	No	39	C+
56	Greenup	160.0 µg/L	No	54	B-
57	Sedalia	151.0 µg/L	No	5	B
58	Somerset	150.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
59	Paducah	150.0 µg/L	No	4	A-
60	Springfield	150.0 µg/L	No	6	A
61	Tompkinsville	140.0 µg/L	No	19	B-
62	Grennsburg	133.0 µg/L	No	11	A-
63	Grayson	130.0 µg/L	No	26	B-
64	Horse Cave	130.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
65	Flemingsburg	130.0 µg/L	No	13	B+
66	Princeton	130.0 µg/L	No	15	B+
67	Falmouth	121.6 µg/L	No	19	C+
68	Buckner	120.0 µg/L	No	3	A
69	Shelbyville	120.0 µg/L	No	4	A-
70	Liberty	120.0 µg/L	No	32	C+
71	Eubank	120.0 µg/L	No	10	A-
72	Lagrange	120.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
73	Albany	118.0 µg/L	No	21	B-
74	Monticello	113.0 µg/L	No	7	A-
75	Corbin	111.0 µg/L	No	9	B
76	Owensboro	110.0 µg/L	No	5	A-
77	Jamestown	110.0 µg/L	No	23	B
78	Salt Lick	100.0 µg/L	No	6	A-
79	Lebanon	91.4 µg/L	No	11	A-
80	Mt Vernon	90.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
81	Morehead	88.4 µg/L	No	45	C+
82	Knottsville	88.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
83	Sharpsburg	86.6 µg/L	No	20	B
84	Danville	86.0 µg/L	No	10	A-
85	Bardstown	84.0 µg/L	No	13	B+
86	Scottsville	83.2 µg/L	No	5	B+
87	Berea	82.0 µg/L	No	30	A-
88	Greensburg	80.0 µg/L	No	7	A
89	Mt Sterling	78.8 µg/L	No	118	D
90	Bloomfield	77.4 µg/L	No	13	B
91	Barbourville	63.4 µg/L	No	10	C+
92	Whitley City	58.0 µg/L	No	3	A
93	Bardwell	57.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
94	Mayfield	55.7 µg/L	No	3	C-
95	Paintsville	53.8 µg/L	No	10	A-
96	Campbellsville	52.0 µg/L	No	25	B
97	Hardinsburg	39.0 µg/L	No	29	A-
98	Mckee	33.1 µg/L	No	60	B-
99	Murray	22.0 µg/L	No	1	C-
100	Middlesboro	20.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
101	Fulton	12.9 µg/L	No	1	A-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about strontium in Kentucky

Is strontium in Kentucky tap water harmful?

Strontium at low levels is not considered harmful, but the EPA set a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L based on potential bone effects. No cities in Kentucky exceed the HRL. There is currently no federal MCL for strontium. Children may be more susceptible because strontium can substitute for calcium in developing bones.

How can I remove strontium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (water softener) systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water. Standard carbon filters are NOT effective. If your water comes from a well in an area with limestone or dolomite geology, consider testing for strontium.

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