Burr Oak, KS: 1 Health Violation — 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring cities in KS, Burr Oak lands in the middle tier — some water systems meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and performance can vary significantly across service areas.
How Burr Oak Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Burr Oak Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0041 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 93% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.43 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Burr Oak
Burr Oak, KS draws its residential water from 2 separate providers among the 2 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Burr Oak, Kansas (population ~299), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,101 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Burr Oak: C (65/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Burr Oak water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0041 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66936 | C | 3 | 1 | Jewell Company Rwd 1 |
All ZIP Codes in Burr Oak
- 66936 [C] — 3 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Burr Oak
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Burr Oak
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Burr Oak's Housing Stock?
With 93% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Burr Oak's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1943 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Burr Oak were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Burr Oak: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Homeowners in Burr Oak are working with a moderate equity share for documented remediation — the commitment deserves a line in the household budget, not dismissal.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Burr Oak. The estimated $950–$2,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 44% below the Kansas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Burr Oak
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
93% of Burr Oak housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Burr Oak
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Burr Oak's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 93% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Burr Oak, KS