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Community Water System · PWS KY0490179

Harrison Co Water Assoc

Cynthiana, Kentucky 41031 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 16,736 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

16,736
People served
59
EPA violations
28
Health-based
7 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 59 drinking-water violations at Harrison Co Water Assoc, 47% of them health-based - below the Kentucky per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 7 PFAS compounds.

59
Total EPA violations on record
47%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
16,736
People served by this system
7
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Harrison Co Water Assoc

Harrison Co Water Assoc is a private-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 16,736 residents in Cynthiana, Kentucky (Harrison County) through 6,371 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 59 total violations for this system , of which 28 (47%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 23 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2024.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 20 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 7 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 47.9 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across Kentucky, EPA tracks 424 public water systems serving 4,570,541 people, with 80,482 cumulative violations and 12,554 health-based violations on record. About 99% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 189.8 violations. Statewide, 107 of 231 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (46.3%).

Harrison Co Water Assoc's 59 violations sit below the Kentucky average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

7 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
16,736
Total Violations
59
Health-Based Violations
28
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Private
Connections
6,371
County
Harrison
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
28
Monitoring Violations
23
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Coliform (TCR) MCL 20 2015
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MCL 8 2024
Lead and Copper Rule MR 7 1994
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 6 2013
Coliform (TCR) MR 4 2003
Asbestos MR 4 2011
Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 4 2014
Revised Total Coliform Rule MON 4 2016
Public Notice Other 2 2015

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 11 of 232 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFEESA 9/26/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 9/26/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 9/26/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 9/26/2024 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 9/26/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 9/26/2024 13.40 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFMPA 9/26/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 9/26/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 9/26/2024 4.20 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFTA 9/26/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 9/26/2024 15.30 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
6:2 FTS 9/26/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 9/26/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 9/26/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 9/26/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 9/26/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 9/26/2024 4.70 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFNA 9/26/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 9/26/2024 47.90 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 9/26/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/26/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 9/26/2024 8.90 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
ADONA 9/26/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 9/26/2024 7.90 ppt 5.00 ppt Detected
PFOA 9/26/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 9/26/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 9/26/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 9/26/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 9/26/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 9/26/2024 3.20 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFUnA 9/26/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/26/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 9/26/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 9/26/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 9/26/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 9/26/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 9/26/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 9/26/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 9/26/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 9/26/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 9/26/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 9/26/2024 4.70 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFHxS 9/26/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 9/26/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 9/26/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 9/26/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 9/26/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 9/26/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 9/26/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 9/26/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Harrison Co Water Assoc.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID KY0490179 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Kentucky Drinking Water Authority

Kentucky's primacy agency administers the Safe Drinking Water Act locally. Search EPA SDWIS for the current state contact, or use the state's public health or environment department portal.

Find KY regulator via EPA SDWIS

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2024 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MCL 8 SDWIS / KY0490179 / 2456
2016 Revised Total Coliform Rule MON 4 SDWIS / KY0490179 / 8000
2015 Coliform (TCR) MCL 20 SDWIS / KY0490179 / 3100
2015 Public Notice Other 2 SDWIS / KY0490179 / 7500
2014 Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 4 SDWIS / KY0490179 / 0200
2013 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 6 SDWIS / KY0490179 / 7000
2011 Asbestos MR 4 SDWIS / KY0490179 / 1094
2003 Coliform (TCR) MR 4 SDWIS / KY0490179 / 3100
1994 Lead and Copper Rule MR 7 SDWIS / KY0490179 / 5000

How Harrison Co Water Assoc Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Harrison Co Water Assoc Kentucky avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 59 189.8 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 28 29.6 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 7 compounds 46.3% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 16,736 10,780 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 424 regulated public water systems in Kentucky.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Harrison Co Water Assoc water safe to drink?
Harrison Co Water Assoc (PWS ID: KY0490179) has 59 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 7 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 16,736 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does Harrison Co Water Assoc serve?
Harrison Co Water Assoc serves 16,736 people in Cynthiana, Kentucky. It is a Private-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 6,371 service connections.
What type of violations does Harrison Co Water Assoc have?
Harrison Co Water Assoc has 59 total violations: 28 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 23 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Harrison Co Water Assoc water?
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 7 PFAS compounds in Harrison Co Water Assoc's water supply: PFPeA, PFBS, PFHxS, PFHpA, PFOS, and others. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Harrison Co Water Assoc use?
Harrison Co Water Assoc uses Surface Water as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from?
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.