Topeka, KS: 155 Health Violations — 70/100 (2026)
31 ZIP codes · 11 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Topeka's tap water quality puts it in KS's upper tier — health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Topeka Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Topeka, KS
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Topeka.
Topeka Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 279 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0024 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,929 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.78 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Topeka
Water service in Topeka, KS is split across 3 utilities out of 11 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 31 ZIP codes in Topeka, Kansas, covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 163,637 people.
31 of 31 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 155 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Topeka: B (70/100)
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
Topeka water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0024 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 31 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 192 | 31 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 64 | 31 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 32 | 31 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66601 | B | 9 | 5 | City of Topeka, |
| 66603 | C | 9 | 5 | City of Topeka, |
| 66604 | B | 9 | 5 | City of Topeka, |
| 66605 | B | 9 | 5 | City of Topeka, |
| 66606 | C | 9 | 5 | City of Topeka, |
| 66607 | B | 9 | 5 | City of Topeka, |
| 66608 | B | 9 | 5 | City of Topeka, |
| 66609 | B | 9 | 5 | City of Topeka, |
| 66610 | C | 9 | 5 | City of Topeka, |
| 66611 | C | 9 | 5 | City of Topeka, |
All ZIP Codes in Topeka
- 66601 [B] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66603 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66604 [B] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66605 [B] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66606 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66607 [B] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66608 [B] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66609 [B] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66610 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66611 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66612 [B] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66614 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66615 [B] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66616 [B] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66617 [B] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66618 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66619 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66620 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66621 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66622 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66624 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66625 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66626 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66628 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66629 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66636 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66647 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66667 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66675 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66683 [C] — 9 violations ⚠
- 66699 [C] — 9 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.
CDC Health Data for Topeka
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Topeka
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Topeka: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Homeowners in Topeka are working with a moderate equity share for documented remediation — the commitment deserves a line in the household budget, not dismissal.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Topeka. The estimated $900–$3,703 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 17% below the Kansas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Topeka
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.
Lead risk in Topeka appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Topeka
Although Topeka's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 172 claims and FEMA maps place 48% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Topeka has a moderate flood history with 172 FEMA claims averaging $9,183 per payout. 48% 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>$1,929</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 Topeka, KS