Is Ness City, 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 ↓
81.6/100
waterverge.com Ness City, KS — Water Quality Report
Ness City's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,303 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 7 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
What to know about Ness City's water
Ness City ranks #142 out of 323 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Ness 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, Ness City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Ness City, KS water safe to drink?
Ness City's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,303 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Ness City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Ness City's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81.6/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3236). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
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 Ness City'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
Ness City's water system has 7 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Ness County has experienced 3 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.
Where does Ness City's water come from?
Ness City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,303 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Ness City residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Ness 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.
Ness City'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
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtNess 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
Ness County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Ness City'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. | 0.0 | 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. | 1.62 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level trend (90th percentile)
See how Ness City compares by contaminant
Explore where Ness City ranks among all Kansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Ness City's water comes from
Ness 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 1,303 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Ness City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NESS CITY, CITY OF | KS2013503 | 1,303 | GW |
How Ness City compares
Full Kansas rankings →Ness City's score of 81.6/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Kansas cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Kansas rankings →About Ness City, KS
Wikipedia →Ness City is a city in and the county seat of Ness County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 1,329. Ness City is famous for its four-story Old Ness County Bank Building located downtown and nicknamed Skyscraper of the Plains.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Ness City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Ness
Frequently asked questions
Is Ness City, KS tap water safe to drink?
Ness City's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #142 out of 323 cities tested in Kansas.
What contaminants are in Ness City's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 7 violations are on record.
How is Ness 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 Ness City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Ness City's water come from?
Ness City's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,303 residents.
What health violations has Ness City's water system had?
Ness City has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2018. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.
Is Ness City's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Ness 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 7 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 Ness City's water compare to other cities?
Ness City ranks #142 out of 323 cities in Kansas (better than 56% of state cities) and #7402 out of 15744 cities nationally (53th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Ness City's small water system affect quality?
Ness City's system serves approximately 1,303 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 7 violations on record.