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

ZIP Code 66868 Water Quality & Testing Report

Reading, KS · Lyon County County · Updated for 2026

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 66868 (Reading, KS)?

Yes, tap water in ZIP code 66868 (Reading, KS) is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Supplied by Lyon Company Rwd 1, the area earns an EPA Safety Grade of B (79/100) with 0 health violations, 0.8 ppb lead, and very hard (196 mg/L / 11.5 GPG) water.

Safety Score
B

Water Safety Grade

Good — Minor issues on record

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

2

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 66868

Tap water in ZIP code 66868 (Reading, KS) is distributed by Lyon Company Rwd 1 (EPA ID: KS2011101), serving approximately 1,595 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of B with a composite quality score of 79/100.

Water System

Lyon Company Rwd 1

EPA ID: KS2011101

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

1,595 residents

County

Lyon County County, Kansas

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Lead Levels in ZIP 66868

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

Lead Level: 0.8 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 66868 is 0.8 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.

Lead exposure risk in 66868 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 52% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
0.80 ppb (0.0008 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

52%
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 · 196 mg/L

Water in ZIP 66868 is Very Hard (196 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

196 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Lyon Company Rwd 1 · PWSID: KS2011101

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Lyon Company Rwd 1 has recorded 2 violations, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions). 2 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
2
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
2
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
High

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

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 66868 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 6 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

$2
Energy Burden

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

1.32%

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

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 66868

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 66868 served by Lyon Company Rwd 1 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 66868 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from Lyon Company Rwd 1
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Recommended Taste & Safety Filter:

🚰

NSF/ANSI 53 Certified Pitcher Filter

Best for removing aesthetic chlorine, odors, and low-level heavy metals.

Filter Selection Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 66868 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 66868?+
Yes — tap water in 66868 (Reading, KS) meets EPA standards with a water safety grade of B. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 66868 (Reading, KS)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 66868, 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 66868?+
Tap water in 66868 is classified as Very Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 196 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 66868?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 66868 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 66868 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 66868 is 0.8 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 66868?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 66868. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 66868?+
Tap water in ZIP code 66868 is provided by Lyon Company Rwd 1 (EPA ID: KS2011101), serving approximately 1,595 residents.
What water filter should I use in 66868?+
Based on water metrics for 66868, we recommend Lead & Microplastic Filter. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead Reduction), NSF/ANSI 42 (Particulate/Taste).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 66868 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 Lyon Company Rwd 1. 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 →