Elk County, Kansas
4 ZIP codes · Avg score 72/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Homeowners across Elk County's 4 ZIP codes live with water safety scores that generally beat state and national averages.
How Elk County Compares
How Elk County Compares
Elk County scores 8 points above the Kansas state average (64/100) and 4 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 16.4 (asthma 10.4%, diabetes 15.8%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $913, driven primarily by water_lead
Infrastructure: 0.512% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
78.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2024–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Elk County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2025 with 9 violations. Past 5 years: 14 total (14 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
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: $913
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
1,314 housing units in Elk 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 Elk County
Water safety remediation is a moderate expense relative to home values. Most homeowners can address issues through staged improvements over time.
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 Elk 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 Elk County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ELK CO RWD 1 | 494 | 14 |
| 2 | Elk Company Rwd 2 | 520 | 10 |
| 3 | City of Howard, | 583 | 10 |
| 4 | City of Grenola, | 148 | 8 |
| 5 | City of Longton, | 277 | 6 |
7 total water systems serve Elk County.
All ZIP Codes in Elk County
4 ZIP codes tracked in Elk County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 67353 | Moline | 81 | B | 4 (2 health) | $57K |
| 2 | 67349 | Howard | 70 | B | 10 | $84K |
| 3 | 67352 | Longton | 69 | C | 6 (5 health) | $52K |
| 4 | 67346 | Grenola | 68 | C | 8 (3 health) | $51K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Elk County
Strictly editorial — no paid placements influence which guides appear; the selection draws on NSF certifications and EPA detection records for water systems serving this county.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 78.8% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
Overview
Elk County in Kansas covers 4 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (72/100).
4 of 4 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 10 health-based violations have been documented.
← 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.