Loading water data...
Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality scores for 25 cities in Kansas
It depends on your utility. 4 of the 20 Kansas water systems we grade from EPA records have a health-based violation in the last five years; the state averages 90/100 (2 above the national 88). Lowest graded: Junction City (F). Highest: Wichita (A).
Kansas's official certified-lab list, when to test well vs city water, typical lab prices, and how to take a first-draw lead sample.
Across the 20 Kansas water systems we can grade from EPA records, the average score is 90/100 — 2 points above the U.S. national average of 88/100. 75% of graded Kansas cities (15 of 20) score above that national benchmark, and 13 earn a Grade A. 4 cities have at least one health-based EPA violation in the last five years. 5 cities are not graded because we have not yet matched them to an EPA water system.
The contaminants most commonly flagged in Kansas water systems are nitrates (fertilizer and feedlot runoff), hardness and total dissolved solids and selenium and naturally occurring minerals. See the full breakdown in our Kansas water quality rankings or compare against the cities with the best water quality in America.
See the top 20 cities with the cleanest, safest drinking water
Complete water quality rankings for every city in Kansas
395,699 residents
54,763 residents
38,757 residents
18,433 residents
20,738 residents
19,640 residents
25,413 residents
23,942 residents
95,256 residents
152,960 residents
125,963 residents
46,481 residents
21,040 residents
143,014 residents
39,712 residents
35,126 residents
24,009 residents
27,104 residents
14,580 residents
19,167 residents
197,238 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
67,093 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
57,434 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
35,811 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
22,368 residents
No EPA water-system match yet — no score.
Kansas water quality is dominated by agriculture and by the gradual depletion and contamination of the Ogallala (High Plains) Aquifer in the west. Nitrate from fertilizer, naturally occurring minerals, and high water hardness are defining features, while reservoirs supplying eastern cities can experience seasonal taste-and-odor and algal issues.
Across the 20 Kansas cities graded from EPA records, the average water quality score is 90/100. 1 city scores below 70 (D or F) because of health-based violations, lead results, PFAS or historical readings near a limit. The highest-rated city is Wichita with a score of 100/100, while Junction City has the most room for improvement at 55/100.
1 of the 20 Kansas cities we grade score below 70/100. If your city is one of them — or you just want extra protection — a certified filter is the fastest way to reduce exposure. The findings that drag a score down (lead, PFAS, arsenic, nitrate) are exactly the ones a basic carbon pitcher does not remove.
APEC ROES-50 Reverse Osmosis
Removes 95–99% of lead, arsenic, nitrate, fluoride and PFAS — the widest range of any filter type. The right choice if any city near you flags these.
Check Price on AmazonZeroWater 10-Cup Pitcher
NSF 53 certified to reduce lead, chromium & dissolved solids — no installation, the cheapest way to start filtering today (great for renters).
Check Price on AmazonWe may earn a commission when you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Western Kansas depends almost entirely on the Ogallala Aquifer, which is being drawn down faster than it recharges. Eastern Kansas, including Wichita and the Kansas City area, relies on reservoirs and rivers such as the Kansas and Arkansas rivers. Many small towns operate their own groundwater wells.
These contaminants have been detected in various Kansas water systems
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) administers drinking water programs in compliance with federal EPA standards and manages the state's response to nitrate and other agricultural contaminants. KDHE also oversees groundwater protection in the stressed High Plains region.
Nitrate is the leading health concern, particularly for infants in farming communities and for private-well users in western Kansas. High dissolved-solids and hardness affect taste and plumbing but are not generally health risks. Some western groundwater carries naturally elevated uranium.
Kansas private-well owners should test annually for nitrate and bacteria. Reverse osmosis removes nitrate, uranium, and excess minerals and improves taste in high-TDS areas; it is the most reliable option for western Kansas groundwater. Municipal customers should review their Consumer Confidence Report for nitrate and disinfection byproduct levels.
Most Kansas cities we grade have tap water in good standing with EPA. With an average score of 90/100 across 20 graded cities, Kansas generally has good water quality. However, water quality varies by utility, so check your specific city's report.
The most common water quality concerns in Kansas include nitrates (fertilizer and feedlot runoff), hardness and total dissolved solids, selenium and naturally occurring minerals. These contaminants can come from natural sources, industrial activities, or aging infrastructure. Review your city's specific report to see which contaminants affect your area.
Whether you need a water filter depends on your specific location and health concerns. With 1 Kansas cities grading D or F on EPA records, residents in those areas may benefit from filtration. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI to remove the specific contaminants found in your area.
Public water systems in Kansas are required to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) to residents. You can usually find your report on your water utility's website, request it by phone, or access it through the EPA's database. Our city-level reports above summarize key information from these official sources.
Lead can be present in Kansas water, primarily from older plumbing infrastructure. Homes built before 1986 may have lead pipes or lead solder. While water treatment plants remove lead, it can leach into water from service lines and home plumbing. Check your city's specific report for lead testing data, and consider having your tap water tested if you live in an older home.
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water systems across the United States, including in Kansas. These chemicals are associated with industrial sites, military bases, and firefighting foam use. The EPA has set new PFAS limits effective 2024. Check individual Kansas city reports for PFAS testing results in your area.
On EPA records, Wichita has the highest water quality score in Kansas at 100/100 (Grade A). However, "best" depends on your specific health concerns. View our Best Water Quality in Kansas page for a complete ranking.
Public water systems in Kansas are required by the EPA to test water regularly. Testing frequency depends on the contaminant: bacteria testing occurs daily to weekly, while chemical contaminants may be tested quarterly or annually. Results are published in annual Consumer Confidence Reports. Our site aggregates this data from EPA's SDWIS database.
Compare water quality across counties and find data for your area