Well water in Lyon County, Kansas
In Lyon County, 4% of 56 tested well samples exceeded the EPA limit for lead (15 ug/L), based on public data from USGS Water Quality Portal.
56 individual samples from 20 wells, 1951 to 1994. Data refreshed September 3, 2026.
What individual samples found
Each row summarizes every public sample for that contaminant inside Lyon County. Above limit means above the EPA maximum contaminant level; where EPA has no enforceable limit, the row shows a health guideline or nuisance level instead.
| Contaminant | Samples | Detected | Above limit | Median | Highest | Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead 1977 to 1994 | 56 | 29% | 4% | 0 | 32 | 15 ug/L EPA limit |
Sampled fewer than 10 times, too few to summarize: Nitrate (3), Arsenic (1), Fluoride (1), Copper (1), Sodium (1), Chloride (1), Iron (1).
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What this means
The contaminants most often above their limit here are lead (4% of 56 samples). A well next door can differ sharply from yours because bedrock fractures, well depth and plumbing all matter, so these rates describe the area, not your tap.
Chloride and Iron are widespread in local groundwater. They are mainly a staining and taste problem, but high manganese also carries a health advisory for infants.
What to test for in Lyon County
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)160 leaking underground storage tank sites on record locally.
- Lead4% of 56 local samples were above the limit.
- Coliform bacteriaRecommended for every private well, every year.
- FluorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
- CopperDetected in 100% of local samples.
- ChlorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
- IronDetected in 100% of local samples.
- NitrateRecommended for every private well, especially near farms or septic systems.
Contamination sources on record in Lyon County
KDHE records 160 leaking underground storage tank sites in Lyon County, among 196 regulated sites in total. Groundwater does not follow property lines, so a well within a few hundred feet of one of these is worth testing for what that site could release.
- 160
- leaking underground storage tank sitesGasoline and heating oil that leaked from tanks move through groundwater as benzene, MTBE and other volatile organic compounds.
- 26
- other remediation projects
- 10
- other solid waste facilities
Treatment that fits the local profile
- Lead
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Certified lead-removal carbon filter; Neutralizing filter to raise pH and stop leaching
- Fluoride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Activated alumina; Distillation
- Copper
- Neutralizing filter to raise pH; Point-of-use reverse osmosis
- Chloride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Distillation
- Iron
- Oxidizing filter whole-house; Water softener (low levels); Aeration plus filtration
Get your Lyon County water tested at home
A licensed local water treatment company tests your tap water in your home, walks you through the numbers, and quotes treatment only if something needs fixing. Free, about 30 minutes, no obligation. Tell us what you need and we match you with a company that serves Lyon County.
Common questions
Is there arsenic in well water in Lyon County?
Arsenic was detected in 100% of 1 public well samples in Lyon County, and 0% were above the EPA limit of 10 ug/L. Arsenic has no taste or smell; a lab test is the only way to know your level.
How often should I test a private well in Lyon County?
Test for bacteria and nitrate every year. Test once for arsenic, uranium, radon, fluoride, manganese and PFAS, then again every three to five years or after any change in taste, color, or plumbing.
Sources
- USGS Water Quality Portal: 65 samples in Lyon County. Data from the Water Quality Portal, a service of USGS, EPA and USDA; groundwater samples collected by USGS and cooperators. Retrieved September 3, 2026.
- KDHE regulated sites: 196 regulated sites located in Lyon County. Identified contaminated sites, leaking underground storage tank facilities and solid waste facilities from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
Non-detects count as samples and are treated as zero when computing medians. Exactly at the limit counts as not above it. A sample belongs to the town containing the well's reported coordinates.