Water System Report KS

City of Colby

EPA ID: KS2019302 · 5,516 people served · 1 ZIP code

Even as other utilities in the region logged violations, City of Colby kept a clean EPA record — five years, no issues, 5,516 people served.

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

B · 70
Avg Safety Score
5,516
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0013 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$167K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$72,188
Median Household Income
6,166
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
79%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Colby serves a community with a median household income of $72,188 and an estimated 6,166 residents across its service area. Approximately 79% 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 Colby'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
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
90th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 0% of homes in Thomas 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 90th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

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

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Kansas

City of Goddard
5,372 people
B 7 violations
City of Iola
5,343 people
D 9 violations
City of Spring Hill,
5,694 people
C 3 violations
City of Tonganoxie
5,702 people
C 4 violations
City of Paola
5,786 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $1,800
Radon Mitigation $1,200
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.

System Overview

City of Colby, (EPA ID: KS2019302) is a community water system in Kansas that serves approximately 5,516 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 67701 in Colby.

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

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

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
67701 0.0013 mg/L No N/A

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

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 Colby (KS2019302) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Colby water safe to drink?

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

How many people does City of Colby serve?

City of Colby serves approximately 5,516 people across 1 ZIP code in Kansas.

Where does City of Colby get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
522

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
457
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
2,120
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: 5,516
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 Colby safe to drink?
City of Colby earns a B safety grade with 0 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
Should I use a water filter?
City of Colby 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 Colby serve?
City of Colby serves approximately 5,516 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is City of Colby's water source?
City of Colby draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Colby's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0013 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Colby's service area?
The City of Colby service area has a median household income of $72,188. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does City of Colby get its water?
City of Colby'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.
Home Water Systems Kansas City of Colby

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