WaterVerge

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 ↓

744 residents served 1 water system PWSID: KS2019903
Overall Score
94.8 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#3 of 323 in Kansas Top 3% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
94.8/100
waterverge.com
A 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.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

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.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
94.8 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
42.8/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Sharon Springs, KS water safe to drink?

Use Caution

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).

1
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 event
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Sharon Springs

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Sharon Springs's water quality assessment. Grade: A (94.8/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3236). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Nitrate.

Violation
34 drinking water violations recorded

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.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

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.

MCLMR
Most recent violations:
Jun 2007 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jan 2004 Nitrate Resolved
Jan 2003 trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene Resolved
Jan 2003 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Resolved
Jan 2003 1,2-Dichloropropane Resolved

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.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3236

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

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

38
Total violations
1
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Jun 2007
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

38 Total
1 Active
1 Health-based
37 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Inorganic Chemicals
10
Total Coliform Rule
2
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
2
Nitrate Rule
1
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jun 2007 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2007
Jan 2004 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2004
Jan 2003 Resolved
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
1,2-Dichloropropane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
Trichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
Tetrachloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
CHLOROBENZENE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
Styrene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
Arsenic
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
Barium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
Cadmium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
Chromium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
Atrazine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
Mercury
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
Antimony, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2003 Resolved
Fluoride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Showing 20 of 38 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D1 — moderate drought

Wallace 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.

20.2%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

1
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

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.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3236

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 26.6 ppb from 1996 (26.6 ppb) to 2024 (0.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Sharon Springs compares by contaminant

Explore where Sharon Springs ranks among all Kansas cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
744
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Sharon Springs's water comes from

Groundwater

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.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Sharon Springs

System Name PWSID Population Source
SHARON SPRINGS, CITY OF KS2019903 744 GW
Regional Comparison

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.

Sharon Springs (this city)
94.8
Wichita
83.9
Olathe
79.5
Topeka
39.3
Lawrence
74.6
Kansas avg
62
City Profile

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.

Economic Profile
$54,097
Median Income
$81,064
Median Home Value
$523/mo
Median Rent
3.5%
Unemployment
Community
42.6
Median Age
372
People / sq mi
22.1%
College Educated
69.6%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

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.