Thayer, KS Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water in Thayer, KS scores well — low violation counts, above-average safety grade.
How Thayer Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Thayer Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0049 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 41% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.55 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Thayer
Multiple utilities divide Thayer, 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 Thayer, Kansas (population ~1,457), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 3,705 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Thayer — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Thayer: B (83/100)
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
Thayer water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0049 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 66776 | B | Neosho Company Rwd 4 | 2,095 |
All ZIP Codes in Thayer
- 66776 [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.
CDC Health Data for Thayer
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 Thayer's Housing Stock?
With 41% 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
When trying to understand water quality at the household level, the year a home was built often matters more than any city-wide water report. That's because the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in plumbing, and the earlier phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, created sharp discontinuities in residential plumbing risk by construction era. Thayer's median build year of 1997 puts the city in the transition zone: a substantial share of the housing stock postdates the solder ban, but a comparable fraction predates it — with the oldest homes carrying both the solder risk and the pipe risk simultaneously. Whether any individual household sits on the safer or riskier side of these thresholds is the key question, and it's one the city-wide median alone can't answer.
Most homes in Thayer were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Thayer: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Because property values in Thayer comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Thayer are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 19% below the Kansas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Thayer
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 41% of Thayer 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Thayer, KS