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.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Kansas City

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 - 75 total, including no health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: C (66/100)

Water sources: Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0021 mg/L
• 63% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 25% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1967
• Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 51/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 20%
• 37 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 63% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Kansas City residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

284,114 total housing units across 75 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Kansas City:

• 2,032 flood insurance claims on record
• $45,272,501 total paid out
• $22,280 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: C (Low risk)
• 18 of 75 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA 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.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Kansas City Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Kansas City has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

• Kansas City is in a high-risk radon area
• Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
• If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Kansas City, MO?

Kansas City has an average Home Safety Score of 66/100 (grade C) across 75 ZIP codes. There are 75 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does Kansas City have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Kansas City is 0.0021 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 63% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Kansas City at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 2,032 flood insurance claims in Kansas City ZIP codes, with an average payout of $22,280. 18 of 75 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Kansas City homes?

63% of Kansas City housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 25% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 20%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Kansas City water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Stage 1 DBP Rule. Across 75 ZIP codes, 75 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

The year 1986 marks a critical threshold in residential plumbing safety: that's when the federal government banned lead solder from new construction, closing a major pathway for lead entering household drinking water via pipe joints. Kansas City's median build year of 1967 signals that most of the city's housing was built under the newer standard. The distribution above tells the full story - the post-1986 majority lowers aggregate risk, but the pre-1986 share still deserves scrutiny from anyone living in or purchasing an older home.

1967

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Kansas City were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Protecting Children from Lead in Kansas City

0.0021

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Lead risk in Kansas City appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Climate-Related Water Risk for Kansas City

Flood history in Kansas City spans 2032 NFIP claims and 0% flood zone coverage - enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.

2,032

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~102

Est. Claims/Year

Kansas City has a moderate flood history with 2,032 FEMA claims. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.

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.

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.