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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 66749 Water Quality & Testing Report

Iola, KS · Allen County County · Updated for 2026

Sahajul HaqueCompiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records
Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 66749 (Iola, KS)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 66749 (Iola, KS) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (47/100) due to 1 health violation(s) and 19.0 ppb lead. While treated by City of Iola,, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

1

Total Violations

9

Lead Risk

Very High

Contaminants

1

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 66749

Tap water in ZIP code 66749 (Iola, KS) is distributed by City of Iola, (EPA ID: KS2000103), serving approximately 5,343 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of D with a composite quality score of 47/100.

Water System

City of Iola,

EPA ID: KS2000103

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

5,343 residents

County

Allen County County, Kansas

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Lead Levels in ZIP 66749

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 19.0 ppb — EXCEEDS EPA Action Level

The 90th percentile lead level in 66749 is 19.0 ppb, which EXCEEDS the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Immediate action is recommended. Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter or bottled water for drinking and cooking.

Lead exposure risk in 66749 is rated Very High. EPA models estimate a 85% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
19.00 ppb (0.019 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Very High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

85%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Very Hard11.5 GPG · 197 mg/L

Water in ZIP 66749 is Very Hard (197 mg/L / 11.5 GPG). High concentrations of dissolved limestone minerals cause severe mineral buildup, stiff laundry, dry skin, and premature water heater wear.

Recommendation: A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

11.5 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

197 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Interactive Water Safety & Filter Matcher

Personalized for ZIP 66749 (Iola, KS)

Free Tool

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: City of Iola, · PWSID: KS2000103

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

City of Iola, has recorded 1 health-based violation out of 9 total violations over the past 5 years. 3 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
9
Health-Based Violations
1
Unresolved Violations
3
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Consumer Confidence Report Rule.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Moderate potential

Zone 2
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$23
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

2.32%

EPA Radon Zone 2 — moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 66749

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 66749 served by City of Iola, can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in KS for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 66749 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact City of Iola, to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide →
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
⚗️

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 66749 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 66749?+
Tap water in 66749 has a below-average safety grade of D due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 66749 (Iola, KS)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 66749, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in KS. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Kansas Department of Health and Environment for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 66749?+
Tap water in 66749 is classified as Very Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 197 mg/L (11.5 GPG). A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Should I test private well water in 66749?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 66749 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 66749 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 66749 is 19.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This exceeds the action level — a certified lead-reducing filter is recommended.
Is there an active boil water notice in 66749?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 66749. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 66749?+
Tap water in ZIP code 66749 is provided by City of Iola, (EPA ID: KS2000103), serving approximately 5,343 residents.
What water filter should I use in 66749?+
Based on water metrics for 66749, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 58 (Reverse Osmosis), NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead & VOCs), NSF/ANSI P473 (PFAS/PFOS).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 66749 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by City of Iola,. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →