Is Hill City, KS Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 6 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
86.9/100
waterverge.com Hill City, KS — Water Quality Report
Hill City's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,410 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.7 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 37 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.
What to know about Hill City's water
Hill City ranks #41 out of 323 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Hill City relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Hill City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Hill City, KS water safe to drink?
Hill City's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,410 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Hill City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Hill City's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.9/100).
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3236). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1000). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Hill City's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Hill City's water system has 37 total violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Graham County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1993. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Hill City's water come from?
Hill City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,410 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Hill City residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Hill City's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtGraham County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Graham County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1993. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.7 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Hill City compares by contaminant
Explore where Hill City ranks among all Kansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Hill City's water comes from
Hill City's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,410 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Hill City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HILL CITY, CITY OF | KS2006503 | 1,410 | GW |
How Hill City compares
Full Kansas rankings →Hill City's score of 86.9/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Kansas cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Kansas rankings →About Hill City, KS
Wikipedia →Hill City is a city in and the county seat of Graham County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 1,403.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Hill City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Graham
Frequently asked questions
Is Hill City, KS tap water safe to drink?
Hill City's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #41 out of 323 cities tested in Kansas.
What contaminants are in Hill City's water?
Lead was measured at 1.7 ppb (90th percentile). 37 violations are on record.
How is Hill City's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Hill City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Hill City's water come from?
Hill City's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,410 residents.
What health violations has Hill City's water system had?
Hill City has 5 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 6 violations remain unresolved.
Is Hill City's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Hill City uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 37 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Hill City's water compare to other cities?
Hill City ranks #41 out of 323 cities in Kansas (better than 87% of state cities) and #4402 out of 15744 cities nationally (72th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Hill City's small water system affect quality?
Hill City's system serves approximately 1,410 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 37 violations on record.