Saint Paul, KS Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
While Saint Paul avoids KS's lowest safety tiers, a portion of its water systems have logged documented violations.
How Saint Paul Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Saint Paul Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 60% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.55 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Saint Paul
Multiple utilities divide Saint Paul, KS's water service — 3 leading providers among 5 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Saint Paul, Kansas (population ~1,077), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 5,637 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Paul — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint Paul: C (63/100)
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
Saint Paul water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Saint Paul
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 66771 | C | Neosho Company Rwd 4 | 2,095 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint Paul
- 66771 [C]
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.
CDC Health Data for Saint Paul
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
How Old Is Saint Paul's Housing Stock?
With 60% 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 1972, Saint Paul 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 Saint Paul 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.
Saint Paul: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Because estimated remediation claims a substantial fraction of typical Saint Paul property equity, the household financial perspective here requires serious advance planning — the cost-to-value ratio is in the elevated tier and warrants structured preparation.
At 2.1% of home value, remediation costs in Saint Paul represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,200–$3,300. Home values here are 31% below the Kansas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Saint Paul
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 60% of Saint Paul stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Saint Paul
6 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Saint Paul, 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.
Saint Paul has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $26,241 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>$2,200</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 Saint Paul
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 60% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Saint Paul, KS