Smith County, Kansas
5 ZIP codes · Avg score 51/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Smith County's 5 ZIP codes record elevated violation rates — residents in affected areas may want to verify their local system's current status.
How Smith County Compares
How Smith County Compares
Smith County scores 13 points below the Kansas state average (64/100) and 17 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Smith County, Kansas
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.9 (asthma 9.8%, diabetes 13.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $760, driven primarily by water_lead
Infrastructure: 0.524% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
93% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2023–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Smith County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 2 violations. Past 5 years: 3 total (3 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: $760
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
1,961 housing units in Smith 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 Smith 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 Smith 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 Smith County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Gaylord, | 83 | 14 |
| 2 | Osborne Company Rwd 1a | 81 | 14 |
| 3 | Smith Company Rwd 1 | 380 | 13 |
| 4 | KENSINGTON, CITY OF | 401 | 6 |
| 5 | City of Smith Center, | 1,572 | 4 |
6 total water systems serve Smith County.
All ZIP Codes in Smith County
5 ZIP codes tracked in Smith County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 66952 | Lebanon | 65 | C | 3 (1 health) | $67K |
| 2 | 66967 | Smith Center | 61 | C | 4 | $107K |
| 3 | 66951 | Kensington | 60 | C | 6 | $83K |
| 4 | 66932 | Athol | 40 | D | 0 | $93K |
| 5 | 67638 | Gaylord | 31 | F | 14 (2 health) | $51K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Smith County
Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 1 ZIP code
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 93% 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 Smith County, Kansas
Overview
Smith County in Kansas covers 5 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (51/100).
4 of 5 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 3 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.
What You Can Do
Smith County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
93% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.