01The verdict: is Colony water safe?
Colony's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (85.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,470 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
9 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Check back after the next refresh
EPA data updates on a rolling basis; we fold in new samples and violations every month.
Get alerts ↓Colony's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.3 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,470 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 5.2 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 24 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
Colony ranks #76 out of 312 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it above average 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Colony may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Colony's water
Every contaminant flagged in Colony, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 5.2 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Kansas
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Kansas
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Colony's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 24 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Colony.
▲ Up 0.30 ppb since 2007. Latest reading: 1.3 ppb (2025) — 9% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Colony's water comes from
Colony's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
2,470 people
Residents served across Colony's service area.
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 2,470 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANDERSON CO RWD 5 | KS2000306 | 2,093 | Purchased Surface Water |
| COLONY, CITY OF | KS2000307 | 377 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near Colony
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Colony's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Colony's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
1 federal disaster declaration on record for Anderson County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Colony compares
Scores for nearby Kansas cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Kansas average (62/100)
Colony scores 85.3/100 — above the Kansas average of 62/100. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities. Full Kansas rankings →
86.1 / 100BWichita, KS
83.9 / 100BOlathe, KS
79.5 / 100FTopeka, KS
39.3 / 100BLawrence, KS
74.6 / 100CManhattan, KS
56.4 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Colony's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 5.2 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Colony alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Colony, KS tap water safe to drink?
Colony's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #76 out of 312 cities tested in Kansas.
What contaminants are in Colony's water?
Lead was measured at 5.2 ppb (90th percentile). 24 violations are on record.
How is Colony'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 Colony?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Colony's water come from?
Colony's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,470 residents.
What health violations has Colony's water system had?
Colony has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2016. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 9 violations remain unresolved.
How does Colony's water compare to other cities?
Colony ranks #76 out of 312 cities in Kansas (better than 76% of state cities) and #5353 out of 15382 cities nationally (65th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.