Is Burden, KS Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 15 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
83.5/100
waterverge.com Burden, KS — Water Quality Report
Burden's drinking water received a grade of B+ (83.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,514 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.8 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 34 violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 15 remain unresolved.
What to know about Burden's water
Burden ranks #111 out of 323 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.04 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.
As a small community water system, Burden may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Burden, KS water safe to drink?
Burden's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (83.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,514 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Burden
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Burden's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (83.5/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3236). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-780). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Burden's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Burden's water system has 34 total violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 15 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Cowley County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1976. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Burden's water come from?
Burden's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 2,514 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Burden residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Burden's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Burden's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtCowley County is currently in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Cowley County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1976. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.8 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Burden compares by contaminant
Explore where Burden ranks among all Kansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Burden's water comes from
Burden's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,514 people through 2 water systems.
Water systems serving Burden
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| COWLEY CO RWD 5 | KS2003508 | 2,000 | SWP |
| BURDEN, CITY OF | KS2003503 | 514 | SWP |
How Burden compares
Full Kansas rankings →Burden's score of 83.5/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Kansas cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Kansas rankings →About Burden, KS
Wikipedia →Burden is a city in Cowley County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 512.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Burden's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Cowley
Frequently asked questions
Is Burden, KS tap water safe to drink?
Burden's water quality earned a grade of B+ (83.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #111 out of 323 cities tested in Kansas.
What contaminants are in Burden's water?
Lead was measured at 1.8 ppb (90th percentile). 34 violations are on record.
How is Burden's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Burden?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Burden's water come from?
Burden's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,514 residents.
What health violations has Burden's water system had?
Burden has 8 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 15 violations remain unresolved.
How does Burden's water compare to other cities?
Burden ranks #111 out of 323 cities in Kansas (better than 66% of state cities) and #6400 out of 15744 cities nationally (59th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.