Kansas Water Quality Report: 3,375 Violations Across 749 ZIPs
954 water systems · 749 ZIP codes · 3,375 violations · Updated 2026-05-31
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified: 2026-05-31
City Water Quality Map: Kansas
Each circle represents a city. Size indicates population, color indicates water quality grade. Tap a circle for details.
Violation Trend
EPA violations across all water systems in Kansas.
Cities with Most Violations in Kansas
| # | City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Topeka | B | 279 | 5 | 141,838 | Details → |
| 2 | Salina | C | 116 | 4 | 49,263 | Details → |
| 3 | Hutchinson | B | 63 | 5 | 41,207 | Details → |
| 4 | Beloit | D | 55 | 3 | 5,800 | Details → |
| 5 | Ellinwood | C | 49 | 2 | 2,209 | Details → |
| 6 | Erie | C | 42 | 3 | 1,835 | Details → |
| 7 | Coats | D | 38 | 1 | 68 | Details → |
| 8 | Cedar Point | B | 36 | 1 | 27 | Details → |
| 9 | Ford | D | 35 | 1 | 204 | Details → |
| 10 | Glen Elder | D | 32 | 3 | 1,577 | Details → |
Most Common Contaminants in Kansas
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 471 | 206 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 420 | 152 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 393 | 287 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 339 | 220 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 252 | 60 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 251 | 38 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 183 | 108 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 119 | 67 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 116 | 57 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 73 | 39 | Yes |
Water Quality Overview
Kansas has 954 community water systems serving approximately 7,564,438 people across 749 ZIP codes. These systems have accumulated 3,375 EPA violations, including 844 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 25% of all violations in Kansas. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health, as opposed to monitoring or reporting failures.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 844 | 25.0% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 2,531 | 75.0% |
| Total | 3,375 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report — these do not necessarily mean unsafe water, but they mean the water was not properly verified.
Cities with Most Violations
The following cities in Kansas have the highest number of EPA violations:
| Rank | City | Grade | Violations | Water Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Topeka | B | 279 | 5 | 141,838 |
| 2 | Salina | C | 116 | 4 | 49,263 |
| 3 | Hutchinson | B | 63 | 5 | 41,207 |
| 4 | Beloit | D | 55 | 3 | 5,800 |
| 5 | Ellinwood | C | 49 | 2 | 2,209 |
| 6 | Erie | C | 42 | 3 | 1,835 |
| 7 | Coats | D | 38 | 1 | 68 |
| 8 | Cedar Point | B | 36 | 1 | 27 |
| 9 | Ford | D | 35 | 1 | 204 |
| 10 | Glen Elder | D | 32 | 3 | 1,577 |
Violation counts are cumulative across all water systems serving each city. Higher counts may reflect larger systems with more monitoring requirements, not necessarily worse water quality.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded across all water systems in Kansas:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 171 | 170 |
| 2022 | 186 | 182 |
| 2023 | 203 | 202 |
| 2024 | 522 | 522 |
| 2025 | 273 | 273 |
Violations have increased from 171 in 2021 to 273 in 2025. This trend warrants monitoring and may reflect expanded testing requirements rather than worsening quality.
Most Common Contaminants
The following contaminants have caused the most violations across Kansas water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 471 | 206 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 420 | 152 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 393 | 287 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 339 | 220 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 252 | 60 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 251 | 38 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 183 | 108 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 119 | 67 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 116 | 57 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 36 | 16 | Yes |
How to Check Your Water in Kansas
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water system data including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400)
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 5,185 enforcement actions against water systems in Kansas. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Updated daily.
What are EPA violations?
Health-based violations mean a contaminant was detected above the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) — the legal limit designed to protect human health. Kansas has 844 such violations across its water systems. Not all violations cause illness, but repeated exceedances increase risk, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals.
Understanding water quality grades
ZipCheckup grades water systems from A to F based on EPA violation history, contaminant levels, and system compliance. Grade A means few or no violations; Grade F indicates persistent or serious issues. Grades are calculated per ZIP code and aggregated at the city, county, and state level.
Wondering about your tap water?
Water quality varies by ZIP code. Enter yours to see contaminant data, violations, and filtration recommendations specific to your area.
Check Your ZIP Code Water Quality →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Kansas?
Kansas has 954 community water systems with 3,375 recorded EPA violations, including 844 health-based. Water quality varies by city and ZIP code — check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does Kansas have?
Kansas has 3,375 total EPA violations across 749 ZIP codes. 844 are health-based violations that indicate contaminant levels potentially harmful to human health. The remainder are monitoring or reporting violations.
Which city in Kansas has the worst water quality?
Topeka, KS has the most EPA violations among major cities in Kansas with 279 recorded violations. Check individual ZIP codes for the most accurate picture of your local water quality.
Which city in Kansas has the best water quality?
Several cities in Kansas maintain excellent EPA compliance. Check individual city reports for details.
What contaminants are found in Kansas drinking water?
Kansas water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. The most common violations vary by region — check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.