Kansas Water Quality Report 2026
Kansas tap water is safe — filtration recommended based on our analysis of 6 water systems serving 1,110,402 residents. The average PurityMap score is 73.5/100 (Grade: C), which is 4.4 points below the national average.
- PFAS detected in 1 of 6 cities (17%). Forever chemicals require reverse osmosis filtration.
- 6 cities (100%) have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG) which causes scale buildup and appliance damage.
- 6 cities use chloramine or have elevated chlorine residuals. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove chloramine.
We recommend an under-sink reverse osmosis system for drinking water in PFAS-affected areas of Kansas. RO removes 99%+ of PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. For hard water cities, add a whole-house softener.
Very Hard
Kansas is 4.4 points below the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 4.9 GPG above the US average of 6.3 GPG.
Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.
| Rank | City | Score | Hardness | Lead | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wichita | 60/100 | 10.8 GPG | 2.5 ppb | PFAS (2.8 ppt), Very Hard (10.8 GPG) |
| 2 | Overland Park | 75/100 | 12.5 GPG | 3.0 ppb | Very Hard (12.5 GPG) |
| 3 | Topeka | 75/100 | 11.5 GPG | 3.2 ppb | Very Hard (11.5 GPG) |
| 4 | Olathe | 75/100 | 12.5 GPG | 2.8 ppb | Very Hard (12.5 GPG) |
| 5 | Kansas City | 78/100 | 9.2 GPG | 3.5 ppb | Hard (9.2 GPG) |
| 6 | Lawrence | 78/100 | 10.5 GPG | 2.5 ppb | Very Hard (10.5 GPG) |
How Kansas's 6 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:
Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.
| City | Population | Score | Hardness | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | 400K | 60/100 | 10.8 GPG | PFAS, Very Hard |
| Overland Park | 195K | 75/100 | 12.5 GPG | Very Hard |
| Kansas City | 151K | 78/100 | 9.2 GPG | Hard |
| Olathe | 141K | 75/100 | 12.5 GPG | Very Hard |
| Topeka | 125K | 75/100 | 11.5 GPG | Very Hard |
| Lawrence | 97K | 78/100 | 10.5 GPG | Very Hard |
6 of 6 cities (100%) in Kansas have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG). Overland Park has the hardest at 12.5 GPG. Cities: Overland Park, Olathe, Topeka, Wichita, Lawrence, Kansas City. A water softener is recommended.
PFAS have been detected in 1 of 6 cities (17%) in Kansas. Highest: Wichita at 2.8 ppt. Affected: Wichita. A reverse osmosis filter is recommended.
All Kansas cities have lead below 5 ppb. Average: 2.9 ppb. Individual homes with older plumbing may have higher levels.
Where Kansas gets its drinking water, based on 6 water systems.
| Source Type | Cities | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Water | 5 | 83% |
| Mixed (Ground + Surface) | 1 | 17% |
Kansas has both PFAS (1 cities) and hard water (6 cities). RO for drinking water + softener for whole house.
| # | City | Pop. | Score | Hardness | Lead | PFAS | TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wichita | 400K | 60/100 | 10.8 GPG (Very Hard) | 2.5 ppb | ⚠️ Yes (2.8 ppt) | 390 ppm |
| 2 | Overland Park | 195K | 75/100 | 12.5 GPG (Very Hard) | 3.0 ppb | ✅ No | 430 ppm |
| 3 | Topeka | 125K | 75/100 | 11.5 GPG (Very Hard) | 3.2 ppb | ✅ No | 395 ppm |
| 4 | Olathe | 141K | 75/100 | 12.5 GPG (Very Hard) | 2.8 ppb | ✅ No | 430 ppm |
| 5 | Kansas City | 151K | 78/100 | 9.2 GPG (Hard) | 3.5 ppb | ✅ No | 320 ppm |
| 6 | Lawrence | 97K | 78/100 | 10.5 GPG (Hard) | 2.5 ppb | ✅ No | 370 ppm |
Kansas has 5 utilities. Major: City of Wichita Water and Sewer, Johnson County Water One, Unified Government Water Department, City of Topeka Utilities, City of Lawrence Utilities.
Sources: Cheney Reservoir and Equus Beds Aquifer, Kansas River and Hillsdale Lake, Missouri River, Kansas River, Kansas River via WaterOne.
- EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
- EWG Tap Water Database
- State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
- USGS regional water monitoring data
PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.
6 city water quality reports available for Kansas.
Lawrence Water Quality Report
Olathe Water Quality Report
Overland Park Water Quality Report
Topeka Water Quality Report
Wichita Water Quality Report
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