WaterVerge

Is Kingman, KS Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: KS2009503
Overall Score
88 / 100
Violations
4 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#30 of 323 in Kansas Top 24% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
88/100
waterverge.com
A- 88/100

Kingman, KS — Water Quality Report

Kingman's drinking water received a grade of A- (88 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,062 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.1 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 27 violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Kingman's water

Kingman ranks #30 out of 323 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

Kingman 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, Kingman may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
88 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
38/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Kingman, KS water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Kingman's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (88/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,062 residents using groundwater (wells).

4
Active Violations
1.1 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
2 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Kingman

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Kingman's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine, Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3236). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-378). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Kingman's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.1 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Kingman's water system has 27 total violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

RPTMRMONOtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Jan 2025 Chlorine Resolved
Jan 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Dec 2018 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Apr 2002 Public Notice Open

Flood & environmental risk

Kingman County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3236
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-378

Where does Kingman's water come from?

Kingman's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 3,062 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Kingman residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Kingman's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.1 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

27
Total violations
13
Health-based
4
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

27 Total
4 Active
13 Health-based
23 Resolved
Violations by category
Nitrate Rule
11
Volatile Organic Chemicals
8
Total Coliform Rule
2
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
1
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Jul 2025 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Dec 2018 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Apr 2002 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2025 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 2025
Jan 2025 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Jan 2025
Mar 2002 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2002
Apr 1998 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Apr 1998
Jul 1996 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1996
Apr 1996 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 1996
Oct 1995 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 1995
Jul 1995 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1995
Apr 1995 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 1995
Jan 1995 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 1995
Oct 1994 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 1994
Oct 1993 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1994
Oct 1992 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1993
Oct 1991 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1992
Sep 1991 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1992
Jan 1989 Resolved
Trichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 1989
Showing 20 of 27 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Kingman

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Kingman, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
GREAT LAKES POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Chemicals · NA
KINGMAN, KS67068
0.4 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Kingman 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.

1
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
11.3%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
1
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

2
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Kingman County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3236
May 1973
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #378

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.1 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 5.9 ppb from 1993 (7.0 ppb) to 2024 (1.1 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
3,062
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Kingman's water comes from

Groundwater

Kingman'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 3,062 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Kingman

System Name PWSID Population Source
KINGMAN, CITY OF KS2009503 3,062 GW
Regional Comparison

How Kingman compares

Full Kansas rankings →

Kingman's score of 88/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Kansas cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Kingman (this city)
88
Wichita
83.9
Olathe
79.5
Topeka
39.3
Lawrence
74.6
Kansas avg
62
City Profile

About Kingman, KS

Wikipedia →

Kingman is a city in and the county seat of Kingman County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 3,105.

Economic Profile
$55,532
Median Income
$60,448
Median Home Value
$794/mo
Median Rent
8.9%
Unemployment
Community
43.8
Median Age
328
People / sq mi
16.5%
College Educated
60.2%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Kingman, KS tap water safe to drink?

Kingman's water quality earned a grade of A- (88/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #30 out of 323 cities tested in Kansas.

What contaminants are in Kingman's water?

Lead was measured at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile). 27 violations are on record.

How is Kingman'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 Kingman?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Kingman's water come from?

Kingman's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 3,062 residents.

What health violations has Kingman's water system had?

Kingman has 13 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.

Is Kingman's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Kingman 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 27 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 Kingman's water compare to other cities?

Kingman ranks #30 out of 323 cities in Kansas (better than 91% of state cities) and #3701 out of 15744 cities nationally (77th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Kingman's small water system affect quality?

Kingman's system serves approximately 3,062 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 27 violations on record.