Wakarusa, KS Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Wakarusa, EPA compliance data for KS sits at a moderate level — not alarming, but not uniformly clean across all service areas either.
How Wakarusa Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Wakarusa Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 53% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.78 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Wakarusa
Structurally, Wakarusa, KS's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 7 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Wakarusa, Kansas (population ~1,182), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 149,537 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Wakarusa — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Wakarusa: C (55/100)
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
Wakarusa water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Wakarusa
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 66546 | C | TOPEKA, CITY OF | 125,963 |
All ZIP Codes in Wakarusa
- 66546 [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 Wakarusa
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 Wakarusa's Housing Stock?
With 53% 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
Because the majority of Wakarusa's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1987 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Wakarusa 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.
Wakarusa: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Wakarusa is moderate — worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Wakarusa. The estimated $1,500–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 51% above the Kansas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Wakarusa
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.
Routinely in Wakarusa, where 53% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Wakarusa
Flood risk in Wakarusa occupies the middle ground: 16 NFIP claims and 100% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Wakarusa has a moderate flood history with 16 FEMA claims averaging $22,631 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>$2,700</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 Wakarusa
- 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 53% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Wakarusa, KS