Is Sharon Springs, KS Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
94.8/100
Sharon Springs, KS — Water Quality Report
Sharon Springs's drinking water received a grade of A (94.8 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 744 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 38 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Sharon Springs's water
Sharon Springs ranks #3 out of 323 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Sharon Springs 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, Sharon Springs may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Sharon Springs, KS water safe to drink?
Sharon Springs's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (94.8/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 744 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Sharon Springs
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Sharon Springs's water quality assessment. Grade: A (94.8/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3236). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Nitrate.
Contaminants: trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Sharon Springs's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Sharon Springs's water system has 38 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Wallace 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 Sharon Springs's water come from?
Sharon Springs's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 744 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Sharon Springs residents can do
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
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtWallace 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
Wallace 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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Sharon Springs compares by contaminant
Explore where Sharon Springs ranks among all Kansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Sharon Springs's water comes from
Sharon Springs'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 744 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Sharon Springs
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHARON SPRINGS, CITY OF | KS2019903 | 744 | GW |
How Sharon Springs compares
Full Kansas rankings →Sharon Springs's score of 94.8/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Kansas cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Kansas rankings →About Sharon Springs, KS
Wikipedia →Sharon Springs is a city in and the county seat of Wallace County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 751.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Sharon Springs's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Wallace
Frequently asked questions
Is Sharon Springs, KS tap water safe to drink?
Sharon Springs's water quality earned a grade of A (94.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #3 out of 323 cities tested in Kansas.
What contaminants are in Sharon Springs's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 38 violations are on record.
How is Sharon Springs'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 Sharon Springs?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Sharon Springs's water come from?
Sharon Springs's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 744 residents.
What health violations has Sharon Springs's water system had?
Sharon Springs has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in June 2007. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is Sharon Springs's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Sharon Springs 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 38 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 Sharon Springs's water compare to other cities?
Sharon Springs ranks #3 out of 323 cities in Kansas (better than 99% of state cities) and #430 out of 15744 cities nationally (97th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Sharon Springs's small water system affect quality?
Sharon Springs's system serves approximately 744 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 38 violations on record.