Water System Report KS

City of Sterling,

EPA ID: KS2015902 · 2,318 people served · 2 ZIP codes

In every reporting cycle over the past five years, City of Sterling, has come through without a single EPA violation — a consistent performance across the full service population of approximately 2,318 residents that reflects both well-maintained infrastructure and reliable operational oversight.

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

D · 40
Avg Safety Score
2,318
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$103K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$60,364
Median Household Income
3,145
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
72%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Sterling, serves a community with a median household income of $60,364 and an estimated 3,145 residents across its service area. Approximately 72% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

City of Sterling,'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.

Low Risk
Source Contamination Risk
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Rice 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

56 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
16 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 78% of expected lifespan used End of life

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Kansas

City of Herington,
2,332 people
D 3 violations
B 1 violation
City of Eureka
2,289 people
B 9 violations
Franklin Company Rwd 4
2,281 people
C 1 violation
City of Kechi
2,261 people
B 3 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $600
Total Estimated Cost $1,800

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

STERLING, CITY OF (EPA ID: KS2015902) is a community water system in Kansas that serves approximately 2,318 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (40/100)

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

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High 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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Sterling, (KS2015902) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Sterling, water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, City of Sterling, has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does City of Sterling, serve?

City of Sterling, serves approximately 2,318 people across 2 ZIP codes in Kansas.

Where does City of Sterling, 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:

0
Confirmed Lead
43
Galvanized — Replacement Required
3
Unknown Material
1,085
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 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,318
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 Sterling, safe to drink?
City of Sterling, has a D safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
City of Sterling, meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does City of Sterling, serve?
City of Sterling, serves approximately 2,318 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is City of Sterling,'s water source?
City of Sterling, draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of City of Sterling,'s service area?
The City of Sterling, service area has a median household income of $60,364. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does City of Sterling, get its water?
City of Sterling,'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.

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 Sterling, (EPA ID: KS2015902) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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