Monitoring Violations KS

City of Columbus

EPA ID: KS2002110 · 2,882 people served · 1 ZIP code

Federal compliance records for City of Columbus list 6 open violations that have not yet been resolved — the utility serves approximately 2,882 people, and each outstanding finding remains logged and active in the EPA enforcement database.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

B · 70
Avg Safety Score
2,882
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
8
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0017 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
5
Contaminants Flagged
$107K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Columbus Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$52,292
Median Household Income
5,102
Service Area Population
67%
Disadvantaged Population
70th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
70%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Columbus serves a community with a median household income of $52,292 and an estimated 5,102 residents across its service area. Approximately 70% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 67% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

City of Columbus's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Cherokee County, Kansas rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

49 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
21 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 70% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Columbus compares to EPA limits

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Revised Total Coliform Rule at 2 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Kansas

City of Osage City
2,809 people
B 1 violation
Franklin Company Rwd 6
2,960 people
B 21 violations
Nemaha Company Rwd 3
2,800 people
C 4 violations
City of Ellsworth
2,992 people
0 violations
Douglas Company Rwd 4
3,000 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $1,200
Radon Mitigation $400
Total Estimated Cost $1,600

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,000
10 years
$10,000
20 years
$20,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,600 (one-time) vs. $10,000 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

City of Columbus, (EPA ID: KS2002110) is a community water system in Kansas that serves approximately 2,882 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 66725 in Columbus.

Average Home Safety Score: B (70/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

8 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
August 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
August 1, 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 2, 2025 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 1, 2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 2 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
66725 0.0017 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by KS or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Columbus (KS2002110) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Columbus water safe to drink?

City of Columbus has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does City of Columbus serve?

City of Columbus serves approximately 2,882 people across 1 ZIP code in Kansas.

Where does City of Columbus get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

7
Confirmed Lead
737
Galvanized — Replacement Required
230
Unknown Material
857
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,882
Reported to Kansas

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Columbus safe to drink?
City of Columbus earns a B safety grade with 8 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in City of Columbus's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Stage 2 DBP Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does City of Columbus serve?
City of Columbus serves approximately 2,882 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is City of Columbus's water source?
City of Columbus draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Columbus's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0017 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Columbus's service area?
The City of Columbus service area has a median household income of $52,292. EPA EJScreen data classifies 67% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does City of Columbus get its water?
City of Columbus's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

City of Columbus (EPA ID: KS2002110) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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