Kansas City, MO: 75 Violations — 66/100 (2026)
75 ZIP codes · 12 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring cities in MO, Kansas City lands in the middle tier — some water systems meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and performance can vary significantly across service areas.
How Kansas City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Kansas City, MO
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Kansas City.
Kansas City Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 75 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0021 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 63% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,663 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.03 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Kansas City
Water service in Kansas City, MO is split across 3 utilities out of 12 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 75 ZIP codes in Kansas City, Missouri, covering 12 community water systems serving approximately 602,147 people.
75 of 75 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Kansas City: C (66/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Kansas City water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0021 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 75 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 76 | 75 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64101 | C | 1 | 0 | Kansas City Public Water System |
| 64102 | B | 1 | 0 | Kansas City Public Water System |
| 64105 | B | 1 | 0 | Kansas City Public Water System |
| 64106 | B | 1 | 0 | Kansas City Public Water System |
| 64108 | C | 1 | 0 | Kansas City Public Water System |
| 64109 | B | 1 | 0 | Kansas City Public Water System |
| 64110 | C | 1 | 0 | Kansas City Public Water System |
| 64111 | C | 1 | 0 | Kansas City Public Water System |
| 64112 | C | 1 | 0 | Kansas City Public Water System |
| 64113 | C | 1 | 0 | Kansas City Public Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Kansas City
- 64101 [C] — 1 violation
- 64102 [B] — 1 violation
- 64105 [B] — 1 violation
- 64106 [B] — 1 violation
- 64108 [C] — 1 violation
- 64109 [B] — 1 violation
- 64110 [C] — 1 violation
- 64111 [C] — 1 violation
- 64112 [C] — 1 violation
- 64113 [C] — 1 violation
- 64114 [C] — 1 violation
- 64116 [C] — 1 violation
- 64117 [C] — 1 violation
- 64118 [C] — 1 violation
- 64119 [C] — 1 violation
- 64120 [C] — 1 violation
- 64121 [C] — 1 violation
- 64123 [B] — 1 violation
- 64124 [B] — 1 violation
- 64125 [B] — 1 violation
- 64126 [C] — 1 violation
- 64127 [C] — 1 violation
- 64128 [B] — 1 violation
- 64129 [C] — 1 violation
- 64130 [C] — 1 violation
- 64131 [C] — 1 violation
- 64132 [C] — 1 violation
- 64133 [C] — 1 violation
- 64134 [C] — 1 violation
- 64136 [C] — 1 violation
- 64137 [B] — 1 violation
- 64138 [C] — 1 violation
- 64139 [B] — 1 violation
- 64141 [C] — 1 violation
- 64144 [C] — 1 violation
- 64145 [C] — 1 violation
- 64146 [B] — 1 violation
- 64147 [C] — 1 violation
- 64148 [C] — 1 violation
- 64149 [C] — 1 violation
- 64151 [C] — 1 violation
- 64152 [C] — 1 violation
- 64153 [B] — 1 violation
- 64154 [C] — 1 violation
- 64155 [C] — 1 violation
- 64156 [C] — 1 violation
- 64157 [B] — 1 violation
- 64158 [B] — 1 violation
- 64161 [B] — 1 violation
- 64162 [C] — 1 violation
- 64163 [C] — 1 violation
- 64164 [C] — 1 violation
- 64165 [C] — 1 violation
- 64166 [C] — 1 violation
- 64167 [C] — 1 violation
- 64168 [C] — 1 violation
- 64170 [C] — 1 violation
- 64171 [C] — 1 violation
- 64172 [C] — 1 violation
- 64179 [B] — 1 violation
- 64180 [C] — 1 violation
- 64184 [C] — 1 violation
- 64185 [C] — 1 violation
- 64187 [C] — 1 violation
- 64188 [C] — 1 violation
- 64190 [C] — 1 violation
- 64191 [C] — 1 violation
- 64192 [C] — 1 violation
- 64194 [C] — 1 violation
- 64195 [C] — 1 violation
- 64196 [C] — 1 violation
- 64197 [C] — 1 violation
- 64198 [C] — 1 violation
- 64199 [B] — 1 violation
- 64999 [C] — 1 violation
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Kansas City
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Kansas City
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Kansas City's Housing Stock?
With 63% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Kansas City, where the median build year is 1967, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Kansas City were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Kansas City: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When remediation costs are measured against Kansas City home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier — addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in Kansas City are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,093–$2,544 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 29% above the Missouri average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Kansas City
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 63% of Kansas City stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Kansas City
Measured against the full NFIP dataset, Kansas City's flood record stands out: 2032 claims accumulated over decades and 59% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated boundaries add up to a high-exposure profile where water infrastructure has faced recurrent stress.
Kansas City has a significant flood history with 2,032 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $24,012 per claim. With 59% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,663</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Kansas City
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Kansas City's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 63% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Kansas City, MO