City of Sylvia
EPA ID: KS2015502 · 210 people served · 1 ZIP code
Looking at the EPA enforcement file for City of Sylvia, 22 violations are listed as unresolved — those findings cover the utility's service area of approximately 210 people and remain open in the federal compliance system, awaiting formal corrective action documentation.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 3 (2022) to 3 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Sylvia Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The City of Sylvia serves a community with a median household income of $58,750 and an estimated 340 residents across its service area. Approximately 81% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 47% 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?
City of Sylvia's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 2% of homes in Reno 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. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How City of Sylvia compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead at 18 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
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.
Lead and Copper Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Kansas
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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.
System Overview
City of Sylvia, (EPA ID: KS2015502) is a community water system in Kansas that serves approximately 210 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 67581 in Sylvia.
Average Home Safety Score: C (58/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2, 2025 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Lead | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Lead | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Lead | Health-based | Unresolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Lead | Health-based | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 16, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Lead | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Lead | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Lead | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Lead | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Lead | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2023 | Lead | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 29, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Lead | Health-based | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 18 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 2 | Yes |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 2 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
Lead (EPA limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level))
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults At-risk groups: infants, children under 6, pregnant women.
Removal methods: reverse osmosis, distillation, certified carbon block filter (NSF/ANSI 53). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67581 | 0.0031 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 FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
- 67581 — Sylvia
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Sylvia (KS2015502) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Sylvia water safe to drink?
City of Sylvia has recorded 20 health-based violations 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 Sylvia serve?
City of Sylvia serves approximately 210 people across 1 ZIP code in Kansas.
Where does City of Sylvia get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
City of Sylvia (EPA ID: KS2015502) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.