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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.
Analysis of copper contamination levels across Kansas cities
Complete list of cities where copper has been detected, sorted by level
| City | Level | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LenexaGrade F | 0.0008 mg/L | 0.0020 mg/L | 40.6% | Safe |
| LawrenceGrade B- | 0.479 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 36.9% | Safe |
| TopekaGrade C+ | 0.475 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 36.6% | Safe |
| Great BendGrade A- | 0.466 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 35.8% | Safe |
| GardnerGrade B+ | 0.437 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 33.6% | Safe |
| OlatheGrade B+ | 0.406 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 31.2% | Safe |
| HaysGrade B- | 0.395 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 30.4% | Safe |
| Prairie VillageGrade B- | 0.394 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 30.3% | Safe |
| PittsburgGrade B+ | 0.342 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 26.3% | Safe |
| LeawoodGrade B- | 0.341 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 26.2% | Safe |
| HutchinsonGrade A | 0.192 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 14.8% | Safe |
| NewtonGrade B+ | 0.0003 mg/L | 0.0020 mg/L | 14.6% | Safe |
| Dodge CityGrade B+ | 0.184 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 14.2% | Safe |
| Garden CityGrade B | 0.176 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 13.5% | Safe |
| Kansas CityGrade A | 0.173 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 13.3% | Safe |
| SalinaGrade A+ | 0.171 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 13.1% | Safe |
| WichitaGrade A | 0.170 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 13.1% | Safe |
| Junction CityGrade A | 0.162 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 12.4% | Safe |
| ManhattanGrade A | 0.0002 mg/L | 0.0020 mg/L | 9.3% | Safe |
| DerbyGrade B+ | 0.0001 mg/L | 0.0020 mg/L | 6.1% | Safe |
| Overland ParkGrade A | 0.068 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 5.2% | Safe |
| LiberalGrade A- | 0.0001 mg/L | 0.0020 mg/L | 4.0% | Safe |
Copper is essential in small amounts, but elevated levels can cause gastrointestinal distress including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Long-term exposure can cause liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's disease are particularly vulnerable. Very high levels can give water a blue-green color and metallic taste.
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; copper pipes
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,copper has been detected in 22 Kansas water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 21% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 40.6% of the limit.
The EPA action level for copper is 1.3 mg/L. The EPA MCL for copper is 1.3 mg/L. This limit is set to protect public health based on available scientific evidence about the contaminant's health effects.
22 Kansas cities have copper detected in their water supply. All tested cities are within EPA safety limits.
Gastrointestinal distress, liver and kidney damage with long-term exposure. The most vulnerable groups include people with wilson's disease and infants under 1 year.
The most effective methods for removing copper include Reverse Osmosis, Distillation, Ion Exchange. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for copper reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for copper is 1.3 mg/L.The EPA action level for copper is 1.3 mg/L.
Recommended filtration methods for copper removal:
Removes 97-98% of copper
Very effective
Water softeners can help