Health Violations Found KS 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

City of Ottawa

EPA ID: KS2005906 · 12,604 people served · 1 ZIP code

City of Ottawa carries 2 open EPA violations that remain unresolved in the federal system — approximately 12,604 people fall within its service area.

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

B · 77
Avg Safety Score
12,604
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
3
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0023 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
3
Contaminants Flagged
$176K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$70,653
Median Household Income
16,146
Service Area Population
20%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
64%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Ottawa serves a community with a median household income of $70,653 and an estimated 16,146 residents across its service area. Approximately 64% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

City of Ottawa'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
10th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Franklin County, Kansas rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

65 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
0 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Ottawa 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.

Total Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

E. coli at 1 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 1 detection recorded.

Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

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 El Dorado
12,810 people
B 16 violations
0 violations
Shawnee Company Rwd 4c
12,000 people
0 violations
City of Arkansas City
11,929 people
B 7 violations
City of Winfield
11,726 people
B 7 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,800
PFAS Treatment $500
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $3,000

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 $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,000 (one-time) vs. $5,330 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 Ottawa, (EPA ID: KS2005906) is a community water system in Kansas that serves approximately 12,604 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 66067 in Ottawa.

Average Home Safety Score: B (77/100)

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

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 2 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
February 7, 2025 Total Coliform Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 Yes
Total Coliform Microbiological 1 No
E. coli Microbiological 1 No

Health Risk Details

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L)

Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water, people who frequently shower in chlorinated water.

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
66067 0.0023 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 Ottawa (KS2005906) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Ottawa water safe to drink?

City of Ottawa has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does City of Ottawa serve?

City of Ottawa serves approximately 12,604 people across 1 ZIP code in Kansas.

Where does City of Ottawa get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
116
Detections
1
Latest sample
12/9/2024
Highest analyte
PFBA: 6.7 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBA 6.7 ppt

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

0
Confirmed Lead
43
Galvanized — Replacement Required
3,777
Unknown Material
1,338
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 some but not all service line types
Latest tap sample on 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 12,604
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 →

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Ottawa safe to drink?
City of Ottawa earns a B safety grade with 3 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in City of Ottawa's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Total Coliform, E. coli. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 3 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 Ottawa serve?
City of Ottawa serves approximately 12,604 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is City of Ottawa's water source?
City of Ottawa draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Ottawa's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0023 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Ottawa's service area?
The City of Ottawa service area has a median household income of $70,653. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does City of Ottawa get its water?
City of Ottawa'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 Ottawa (EPA ID: KS2005906) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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