Gaylord, KS: Lead Above EPA Limits — 31/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent EPA cycles, Gaylord shows a persistent below-average water quality pattern within KS — documented violations span multiple service areas and have appeared consistently across reporting periods.
How Gaylord Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Gaylord Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 14 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0175 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 98% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $7,380 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.87 — above typical levels.
Gaylord's Water Providers
In Gaylord, KS, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 2 leading providers out of 2 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 Gaylord, Kansas, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 111 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gaylord: F (31/100)
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
Gaylord water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0175 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67638 | F | 14 | 2 | City of Gaylord, |
All ZIP Codes in Gaylord
- 67638 [F] — 14 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.
Gaylord 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 Gaylord's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Gaylord Infrastructure Age
With 98% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Gaylord, the median build year of 1902 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Gaylord 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 Gaylord
Elevated equity share — Gaylord sits in the high tier when estimated remediation is measured against property values.
At 14.4% of home value, remediation costs in Gaylord represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $4,870–$9,940. Home values here are 66% below the Kansas average.
Gaylord: 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.
Older interior plumbing dominates the Gaylord inventory at 98%, and citywide utility samples have crossed the federal action mark. Two independent indicators align here, raising lead to a household-level priority — particularly for families with kids.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Gaylord
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Gaylord's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 98% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Gaylord, KS