What was found in Richmond's water
The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoride | 1150 µg/L 29% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Main supplier: RICHMOND UTILITIES · 35,640 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate | 346 µg/L 3.5% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: RICHMOND UTILITIES · 35,640 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 125.59999999999997 µg/L 9.7% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: RICHMOND UTILITIES · 35,640 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 174.5 µg/L — MADISON CO UTILITIES DISTRICT · 25,120 people · 2018 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 100 µg/L 1% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: RICHMOND UTILITIES · 35,640 people · 2013 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 94.29999999999998 µg/L 118% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 80 µg/L Main supplier: RICHMOND UTILITIES · 35,640 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 98.69999999999996 µg/L — KIRKSVILLE WATER ASSOCIATION · 5,940 people · 2019 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 61.29999999999998 µg/L 102% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 60 µg/L Main supplier: RICHMOND UTILITIES · 35,640 people · 2019 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 32.65 µg/L 1.6% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Main supplier: RICHMOND UTILITIES · 35,640 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 9.2 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: RICHMOND UTILITIES · 35,640 people · 2024 | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 4 µg/L 27% of the EPA limit 15 µg/L Main supplier: RICHMOND UTILITIES · 35,640 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 6.8 µg/L — KIRKSVILLE WATER ASSOCIATION · 5,940 people · 2017 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 2.75 pCi/L 55% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L Main supplier: RICHMOND UTILITIES · 35,640 people · 2017 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 0.3000 µg/L 3% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L Main supplier: RICHMOND UTILITIES · 35,640 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Pfba | 0.0098 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: KIRKSVILLE WATER ASSOCIATION · 5,940 people · 2024 | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.0 mg/L 0% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: RICHMOND UTILITIES · 35,640 people · 2025 | 3/3 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Richmond
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| RICHMOND UTILITIES | 35,640 |
| MADISON CO UTILITIES DISTRICT | 25,120 |
| KIRKSVILLE WATER ASSOCIATION | 5,940 |
Frequently asked questions about Richmond tap water
Is Richmond tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 13 contaminants in the water serving Richmond. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Richmond?
3 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Richmond, Kentucky to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Richmond's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Richmond include Fluoride, Nitrate, Copper, Nitrate-Nitrite, TTHM. The full list, with the level at the main supplier and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.