Glen Elder, KS: 23 Health Violations — 45/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent EPA cycles, Glen Elder shows a persistent below-average water quality pattern within KS — documented violations span multiple service areas and have appeared consistently across reporting periods.
How Glen Elder Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Glen Elder Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 32 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0017 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 80% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.43 — above typical levels.
Glen Elder's Water Providers
Federal drinking water records identify 3 systems in Glen Elder, KS. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Glen Elder, Kansas (population ~678), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 1,577 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 23 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Glen Elder: D (45/100)
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
Glen Elder water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0017 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 26 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 20 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1006 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67446 | D | 32 | 23 | Mitchell Company Rwd 2 |
All ZIP Codes in Glen Elder
- 67446 [D] — 32 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.
Glen Elder 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 Glen Elder's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Glen Elder Infrastructure Age
With 80% 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, Glen Elder is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1952 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Glen Elder 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 Glen Elder
Is remediation financially manageable for Glen Elder homeowners? At a moderate equity share, generally yes — with deliberate budgeting ahead of time.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Glen Elder. The estimated $1,900–$4,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 43% above the Kansas average.
Glen Elder: 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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Glen Elder — 80% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Glen Elder: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood activity in Glen Elder is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 1-claim record and 100% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Glen Elder has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $3,409 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$3,000</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Glen Elder
- 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 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Glen Elder's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 80% 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 Glen Elder, KS