waterbycounty
EPA SDWIS

Russell County Water Quality

Russell County, Kentucky

Water Grade

D

Water Score

41.4

Violations

5

State Rank

#88

of 118 (1 = best)

EPA SDWIS Compliance

Drinking Water Quality

Water Quality Grade

D

Based on EPA compliance history and violation data

Water Score

41.4/100

Higher = better quality

Health Violations

5

Health-based violations

Violation Rate

29.7%

Systems with violations

Water Advisory: Russell County

Water Verdict

Russell County receives a below-average water quality assessment with a grade of D and a score of 41.4 out of 100. Residents should review their utility's Consumer Confidence Report and may want to consider additional water filtration for drinking.

Violation Context

Russell County has recorded 5 health-based violations, indicating multiple instances where federal contaminant limits or treatment requirements were not met. At 29.7 violations per 1,000 residents, this rate is high and signals significant water quality management issues.

Consumer Guidance

Residents of Russell County are advised to use filtered or bottled water for drinking and cooking until water quality improves. A reverse-osmosis or activated-carbon filter certified to remove the contaminants listed in the utility's Consumer Confidence Report is recommended. With 5 recorded health violations, staying informed about utility communications and boil-water notices is especially important. For long-term peace of mind, request your utility's latest Consumer Confidence Report and consider independent water testing if you have specific health concerns.

Regional Context

Russell County has poorer water quality than the average county in Kentucky. Its water score is 22.8 points lower than the state average, suggesting more challenges with contamination control or infrastructure than neighboring counties.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the water quality in Russell County, Kentucky?
Russell County, Kentucky has a drinking-water quality grade of D with a score of 41.4/100, based on EPA SDWIS compliance data. The county has 5 health-based drinking water violations over the past 5 years. Watershed health, monitoring records, and live streamflow are reported separately on this page.
Are there any water violations in Russell County?
Russell County has 5 health-based drinking water violations recorded by the EPA over the past 5 years. Health-based violations indicate instances where contaminant levels exceeded EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Violations may have been resolved — check with your local water utility for current status.
How does Russell County water compare to the Kentucky average?
Russell County's SDWIS water quality score of 41.4/100 is lower than the Kentucky state average of 64.2. The average water quality grade across Kentucky is C, based on data from 118 counties with available SDWIS data.
Is tap water safe to drink in Russell County?
Based on EPA SDWIS data, Russell County has a water quality grade of D (41.4/100). This indicates below-average compliance with significant violations. Residents may want to consider home water filtration or independent testing. The grade speaks to the public water system, not the watershed — for watershed-level concerns, see the Watershed Health zone. For the most up-to-date information, contact your local water utility or review your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).
Does Russell County have clean drinking water?
Russell County has 5 health-based drinking water violations according to EPA records. With a water quality score of 41.4/100 and grade D, the county's drinking water has had some compliance issues but continues to be monitored. Note: drinking-water compliance speaks to the public water system, not necessarily to the watershed itself — check the Watershed Health zone for ATTAINS §303(d) data.
How does Russell County rank for water quality in Kentucky?
Russell County ranks #88 out of 118 counties in Kentucky by SDWIS water quality score (1 = best). With a score of 41.4/100, it falls in the bottom third of counties statewide. The ranking reflects EPA SDWIS compliance only — not watershed impairment, monitoring density, or streamflow, which are tracked separately on this page.

Counties with Similar Water Quality

Nelson County

Kentucky

D

41.8

Water score

Cumberland County

Kentucky

F

40.8

Water score

Greenup County

Kentucky

F

40.1

Water score

Data Sources

Drinking-water compliance data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) via the ECHO enforcement database. Scores reflect compliance history and health-based violation counts.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not health, legal, or professional advice. For concerns about your specific water supply, contact your local water utility.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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