Rice County, Kansas
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 60/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems across Rice County's 8 ZIP codes produce average compliance results overall — pockets with documented violations exist, and the variation between areas makes ZIP-level lookup the most useful tool for residents here.
How Rice County Compares
How Rice County Compares
Rice County scores 4 points below the Kansas state average (64/100) and 8 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Rice County, Kansas
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.5 (asthma 9.9%, diabetes 11.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,029, driven primarily by water_lead
Infrastructure: 0.471% avg pipe failure probability, 75% of ZIPs at high risk
81.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2023)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Rice County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2021 with 5 violations. Past 5 years: 11 total (11 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: $1,029
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
4,650 housing units in Rice 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 Rice 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 Rice 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 Rice County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Bushton, | 199 | 18 |
| 2 | Rice Company Rwd 1 | 900 | 16 |
| 3 | City of Lyons, | 3,556 | 12 |
| 4 | Ellsworth Company Rwd 1 | 3,128 | 1 |
| 5 | City of Geneseo, | 231 | 1 |
9 total water systems serve Rice County.
All ZIP Codes in Rice County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Rice County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 67457 | Little River | 66 | C | 1 | $143K |
| 2 | 67524 | Chase | 66 | C | 1 | $80K |
| 3 | 67579 | Sterling | 65 | C | 1 | $149K |
| 4 | 67444 | Geneseo | 64 | C | 1 | $55K |
| 5 | 67573 | Raymond | 64 | C | 1 | — |
| 6 | 67554 | Lyons | 63 | C | 12 | $109K |
| 7 | 67427 | Bushton | 50 | D | 18 (7 health) | $50K |
| 8 | 67512 | Alden | 40 | D | 0 | $57K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Rice County
Independent picks. EPA-grounded. Matched here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 81.8% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Rice County, Kansas
Overview
Rice County in Kansas covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (60/100).
7 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 7 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.