COUNTY REPORT KS

Russell County, Kansas

8 ZIP codes · Avg score 61/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04

Unlike top-rated counties, Russell County's 8 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 Russell County Compares

Russell County61/100
Kansas avg64/100
National avg68/100

How Russell County Compares

C
County Grade
61/100
Avg Safety Score
8
ZIP Codes
12
Water Systems

Russell County scores 3 points below the Kansas state average (64/100) and 7 points below the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04

C
County Grade
61
Avg Safety Score
8
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 67658 (66/100)
Lowest ZIP: 67649 (54/100)
$114K
Median Home Value
$1,425
Avg Remediation (125% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Russell County, Kansas

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 15.6 (asthma 10.5%, diabetes 13.9%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $664, driven primarily by water_lead

Infrastructure: 0.498% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk

87.5% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2024)

→ Stable trend

EPA violation counts by year across Russell County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2021
10 (10 health)
2022
1 (1 health)
2024
2 (2 health)

Peak year: 2021 with 10 violations. Past 5 years: 13 total (13 health-based).

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 10.5% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.9% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 41.5% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1953
Median Build Year
87.5%
Pre-1978 Housing
50%
Pipe Failure Probability
100%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
High
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $664

Water / Lead $394/yr
Energy Code Gap $270/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

3,728 housing units in Russell County

Pre-1940 30%
1940–1959 31%
1960–1979 24%
1980–1999 10%
2000+ 4%

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 Russell County

$114K
Median Home Value
$1,425
Est. Remediation Cost
1.3%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Russell 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 Russell County residents

Asthma 10.5% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.9% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 41.5% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Russell County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Russell Company Rwd 4 90 21
2 Ellsworth Company Rwd 1 3,128 21
3 City of Russell, 4,388 13
4 Russell Company Rwd 1 44 13
5 Russell Company Rwd 2 30 13

12 total water systems serve Russell County.

All ZIP Codes in Russell County

8 ZIP codes tracked in Russell County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 67658 Paradise 66 C 0
2 67673 Waldo 65 C 1 (1 health)
3 67626 Bunker Hill 62 C 8 (3 health) $114K
4 67640 Gorham 61 C 8 (1 health) $134K
5 67665 Russell 60 C 13 (2 health) $119K
6 67648 Lucas 59 C 8 $43K
7 67634 Dorrance 58 C 8 $111K
8 67649 Luray 54 D 4 (1 health)

Recommended Buyer Guides for Russell County

Filtered against EPA monitoring data and CDC lead-exposure guidance, the guides below skip the generic catalog and connect directly to the contaminants and hazards on file here.

Overview

Russell County in Kansas covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (61/100).

7 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 8 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Kansas water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Russell County?
Russell County receives a grade of C. Some ZIP codes have recorded violations and residents in affected areas may want to test their water.
How many water systems serve Russell County?
Russell County is served by 12 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 8 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Russell County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Russell County is water_lead. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $664 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Russell County?
The median home build year in Russell County is 1953. 87.5% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Russell County compare to Kansas?
Russell County has an average water safety score of 61/100, which is below the Kansas state average of 64/100.

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