Cherokee, KS: 6 Violations — 77/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Cherokee's tap water quality puts it in KS's upper tier — health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Cherokee Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Cherokee Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 6 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0022 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 78% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.36 — above typical levels.
Cherokee's Water Providers
In Cherokee, KS, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 7 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cherokee, Kansas (population ~986), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 13,939 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cherokee: B (77/100)
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
Cherokee water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0022 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66724 | B | 6 | 0 | Cherokee Company Rwd 5 |
All ZIP Codes in Cherokee
- 66724 [B] — 6 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.
Cherokee Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Cherokee's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cherokee Infrastructure Age
With 78% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Cherokee is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1964 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Cherokee 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Cherokee
Remediation costs in Cherokee are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Cherokee are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 37% below the Kansas average.
Cherokee: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 78% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Cherokee.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cherokee, KS