Medicine Lodge, KS: 1 Health Violation — 82/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Medicine Lodge, KS: reliable drinking water, above-average safety record, few violations.
How Medicine Lodge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
What You Should Know About Medicine Lodge Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0018 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 85% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.06 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Medicine Lodge
Federal records list 3 water systems tied to Medicine Lodge, KS. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 2,087 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Medicine Lodge: B (82/100)
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
Medicine Lodge water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0018 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67104 | B | 5 | 1 | Barber Company Rwd 3 |
All ZIP Codes in Medicine Lodge
- 67104 [B] — 5 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.
Health Outcomes in Medicine Lodge
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
Top Contaminants in Medicine Lodge Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Medicine Lodge
With 85% 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
Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones — the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 — define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1954, Medicine Lodge falls squarely within the older range — meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Medicine Lodge 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Medicine Lodge Homeowners
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Medicine Lodge is moderate — worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Medicine Lodge. The estimated $950–$3,200 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 33% below the Kansas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Medicine Lodge
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.
85% — that captures the slice of Medicine Lodge housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Medicine Lodge
3 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Medicine Lodge, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Medicine Lodge has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $406 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>$1,900</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Medicine Lodge, KS