Douglas County, Kansas
7 ZIP codes · Avg score 62/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike top-rated counties, Douglas County's 7 ZIP codes carry a fair number of documented violations — chlorine compliance and disinfection byproduct limits are the categories most often cited in recent data.
How Douglas County Compares
How Douglas County Compares
Douglas County scores 2 points below the Kansas state average (64/100) and 6 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Douglas County, Kansas
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 10.5 (asthma 10.1%, diabetes 8.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,231, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.316% avg pipe failure probability, 14% of ZIPs at high risk
48.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,231
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
52,163 housing units in Douglas County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Douglas County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Douglas County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Douglas County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Douglas County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Douglas Company Rwd 5 | 2,500 | 17 |
| 2 | Douglas Company Rwd 1 | 1,400 | 17 |
| 3 | City of Lawrence, | 95,256 | 15 |
| 4 | University of Kansas | 35,000 | 15 |
| 5 | Jefferson Company Rwd 13 | 2,115 | 15 |
19 total water systems serve Douglas County.
All ZIP Codes in Douglas County
7 ZIP codes tracked in Douglas County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 66006 | Baldwin City | 68 | C | 2 | $330K |
| 2 | 66046 | Lawrence | 66 | C | 3 | $217K |
| 3 | 66025 | Eudora | 63 | C | 1 | $259K |
| 4 | 66045 | Lawrence | 62 | C | 3 | — |
| 5 | 66047 | Lawrence | 61 | C | 3 | $303K |
| 6 | 66049 | Lawrence | 61 | C | 3 | $363K |
| 7 | 66044 | Lawrence | 56 | C | 3 | $228K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Douglas County
Editorial methodology pairs each documented risk in this county with the buyer category that addresses it, drawing on water-quality detections, housing-stock lead exposure, EPA Radon Zone designation, and FEMA flood and wildfire ratings. NSF-certified options surface where applicable, and products that match the specific contaminant take priority.
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Douglas County, Kansas
Overview
Douglas County in Kansas covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (62/100).
7 of 7 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
← Back to Kansas water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.