Is Little River, KS Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+ — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
80.1/100
waterverge.com Little River, KS — Water Quality Report
Little River's drinking water received a grade of B+ (80.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,374 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.2 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 18 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 13 remain unresolved.
What to know about Little River's water
Little River ranks #168 out of 323 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Little River purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
As a small community water system, Little River may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Little River, KS water safe to drink?
Little River's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (80.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,374 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Little River
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Little River's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (80.1/100).
Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR), Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts 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 Little River's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Little River's water system has 18 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 13 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Rice County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1965. 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 Little River's water come from?
Little River's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,374 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Little River residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Little River'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.
Little River's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Little River
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Little River, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
MID-CONTINENT FRACTIONATION & STORAGE CONWAY FRA MCPHERSON, KS67460 | — | — | 10.0 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtRice County is currently in D3 (extreme 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
Rice County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1965. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Little River's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
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. | 2.2 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.40 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 1.400 mg/L (2004)
EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
See how Little River compares by contaminant
Explore where Little River ranks among all Kansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Little River's water comes from
Little River purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Little River's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.
Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,374 people through 2 water systems.
Water systems serving Little River
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| RICE CO RWD 1 | KS2015908 | 900 | GWP |
| LITTLE RIVER, CITY OF | KS2015904 | 474 | GW |
How Little River compares
Full Kansas rankings →Little River's score of 80.1/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Kansas cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Kansas rankings →About Little River, KS
Wikipedia →Little River is a city in Rice County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 472.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Little River's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Rice
Frequently asked questions
Is Little River, KS tap water safe to drink?
Little River's water quality earned a grade of B+ (80.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #168 out of 323 cities tested in Kansas.
What contaminants are in Little River's water?
Lead was measured at 2.2 ppb (90th percentile). 18 violations are on record.
How is Little River'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 Little River?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Little River's water come from?
Little River's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,374 residents.
Is Little River's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Little River 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 18 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 Little River's water compare to other cities?
Little River ranks #168 out of 323 cities in Kansas (better than 48% of state cities) and #8019 out of 15744 cities nationally (49th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.