Is Yates Center, KS Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 9 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
46/100
waterverge.com Yates Center, KS — Water Quality Report
Yates Center's drinking water received a grade of D (46 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,335 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.2 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 44 violations on record, including 28 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
What to know about Yates Center's water
Yates Center ranks #312 out of 323 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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.
As a small community water system, Yates Center may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 23 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Yates Center, KS water safe to drink?
Yates Center's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (46/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,335 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Yates Center
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Yates Center's water quality assessment. Grade: D (46/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, CARBON, TOTAL, Chlorite.
1 health-based. Contaminants: CARBON, TOTAL.
Contaminants: CARBON, TOTAL.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3236). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-378). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Yates Center's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Yates Center's water system has 44 total violations on record, including 28 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved. 23 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Woodson County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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 Yates Center's water come from?
Yates Center's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,335 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Yates Center residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Yates Center'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
Flood & disaster history
Woodson County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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. | 2.2 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Yates Center compares by contaminant
Explore where Yates Center ranks among all Kansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Yates Center's water comes from
Yates Center'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 1,335 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Yates Center
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| YATES CENTER, CITY OF | KS2020702 | 1,335 | SW |
How Yates Center compares
Full Kansas rankings →Yates Center's score of 46/100 is below the average of 62/100 among major Kansas cities. It outscores 3 of 10 nearby cities. 7 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Kansas rankings →About Yates Center, KS
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Yates Center's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Woodson
Frequently asked questions
Is Yates Center, KS tap water safe to drink?
Yates Center's water quality earned a grade of D (46/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #312 out of 323 cities tested in Kansas.
What contaminants are in Yates Center's water?
Lead was measured at 2.2 ppb (90th percentile). 44 violations are on record.
How is Yates Center'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 Yates Center?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Yates Center's water come from?
Yates Center's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,335 residents.
What health violations has Yates Center's water system had?
Yates Center has 28 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. 9 violations remain unresolved.
How does Yates Center's water compare to other cities?
Yates Center ranks #312 out of 323 cities in Kansas (better than 3% of state cities) and #14046 out of 15744 cities nationally (11th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Yates Center's small water system affect quality?
Yates Center's system serves approximately 1,335 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 44 violations on record.