Is Oakley, KS Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded C+, with 6 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
67/100
waterverge.com Oakley, KS — Water Quality Report
Oakley's drinking water received a grade of C+ (67 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,026 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.4 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 41 violations on record, including 20 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.
What to know about Oakley's water
Oakley ranks #259 out of 323 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
Oakley relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Oakley may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 13 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Oakley, KS water safe to drink?
Oakley's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (67/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,026 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Oakley
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Oakley's water quality assessment. Grade: C+ (67/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Nitrate.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Nitrate.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Nitrate.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3236). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Oakley's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Oakley's water system has 41 total violations on record, including 20 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved. 13 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Logan County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. 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 Oakley's water come from?
Oakley's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,026 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Oakley residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Oakley'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.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Oakley
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Oakley, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
WESTERN PLAINS ENERGY LLC OAKLEY, KS67748 | — | — | 5.7 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtLogan County is currently in D2 (severe 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
Logan County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. 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. | 1.4 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Oakley compares by contaminant
Explore where Oakley ranks among all Kansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Oakley's water comes from
Oakley's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,026 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Oakley
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAKLEY, CITY OF | KS2010901 | 2,026 | GW |
How Oakley compares
Full Kansas rankings →Oakley's score of 67/100 is on par with the average of 62/100 among major Kansas cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Kansas rankings →About Oakley, KS
Wikipedia →Oakley is a city in Gove, Logan, and Thomas counties in the U.S. state of Kansas. It is the county seat of Logan County. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 2,046.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Oakley's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Logan
Frequently asked questions
Is Oakley, KS tap water safe to drink?
Oakley's water quality earned a grade of C+ (67/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #259 out of 323 cities tested in Kansas.
What contaminants are in Oakley's water?
Lead was measured at 1.4 ppb (90th percentile). 41 violations are on record.
How is Oakley'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 Oakley?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Oakley's water come from?
Oakley's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,026 residents.
What health violations has Oakley's water system had?
Oakley has 20 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 6 violations remain unresolved.
Is Oakley's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Oakley uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 41 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Oakley's water compare to other cities?
Oakley ranks #259 out of 323 cities in Kansas (better than 20% of state cities) and #11291 out of 15744 cities nationally (28th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Oakley's small water system affect quality?
Oakley's system serves approximately 2,026 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 41 violations on record.