Nortonville, KS Water Safety: 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Although water quality varies across any metro, Nortonville's systems collectively post above-average compliance scores for KS — and documented violations are few.
How Nortonville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Nortonville Water
- Homes built before 1986: 73% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.13 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Nortonville
Water supply in Nortonville, KS follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 3 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Nortonville, Kansas (population ~1,255), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 7,924 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Nortonville — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Nortonville: B (72/100)
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
Nortonville water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Nortonville
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 66060 | B | Atchison Company Rwd 5c | 3,690 |
All ZIP Codes in Nortonville
- 66060 [B]
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 Nortonville
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Nortonville
With 73% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Nortonville sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1951 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Nortonville 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 Nortonville Homeowners
When remediation costs are measured against Nortonville home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier — addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in Nortonville are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 14% below the Kansas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Nortonville
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.
Wherever 73% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Nortonville — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Nortonville, KS