Kansas Tap Water Quality Rankings 2026: 29th in Nation | WaterQ
Kansas ranks 29th out of 50 states in the nation for drinking water quality, receiving an average score of 80, which corresponds to a grade of B. The state's drinking water infrastructure supports a population of 2,691,277 residents through 284 water systems. Understanding local water quality factors is key to ensuring tap water safety for Kansas households.
Key Findings for Kansas
Reviewing EPA SDWIS data for 2026, here's what defines Kansas's water quality landscape:
- As an agricultural state located in the Great Plains, Kansas water systems can experience elevated nitrate levels from agricultural fertilizer runoff and livestock operations.
- Many communities in the state rely heavily on groundwater aquifers, such as the Ogallala aquifer, which are vulnerable to natural mineral leaching and depletion.
- Across the state's 284 water systems, a total of 10,321 violations have been documented, highlighting infrastructure and monitoring challenges facing some local suppliers.
Most Common Contaminants in Kansas
Here's what Kansas residents should know about the contaminants most relevant to their water:
Nitrate
Nitrate commonly enters drinking water in agricultural regions through fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and agricultural waste.
Arsenic
In areas dependent on groundwater, arsenic can occur naturally in soil and rock formations, leaching into aquifers over time.
Total Coliform
These bacteria serve as indicators of potential contamination in a water system and can signal vulnerabilities in the treatment or distribution process.
Kansas's Best and Worst Cities for Water Quality
Because water quality can vary significantly by municipality, residents should check the specific database entries for their local city. Local infrastructure age and water source play a major role in the safety of your tap water. Explore the full breakdown on our Kansas water systems page.
What Kansas Residents Should Do
Given Kansas's 29th place ranking, here's what matters most for residents:
- Look up your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report to review local contaminant testing results.
- If your water is sourced from a private well, perform regular testing for nitrates, bacteria, and heavy metals.
- Select an appropriate water filtration system certified to target the specific contaminants identified in your area.
- Check the EPA compliance database to review your local water system's history of violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kansas water quality compare to other states?
Kansas ranks 29th out of 50 states for drinking water quality, which puts it in the middle tier nationally. The state has an average score of 80, corresponding to a grade of B. This grade indicates standard water quality with some room for operational improvements.
What are the most common contaminants in Kansas tap water?
Common contaminants in Kansas drinking water typically involve agricultural runoffs such as nitrates from fertilizers. Groundwater systems may also contain naturally occurring geological elements like arsenic, and systems can experience bacterial issues tracked via total coliform levels.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Kansas?
With a grade of B, tap water in Kansas is generally safe for the majority of the population, but localized violations can occur. Residents are advised to look up their specific water provider's records or test their private well water to ensure it meets health standards.
Source: EPA SDWIS 2026 Compliance Data and WaterQ National Database. For more information on our ranking process, visit our state rankings page.