01The verdict: is Pleasanton water safe?
Pleasanton's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (65.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,238 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
15 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓1K people, 2 systems
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓NDMA is approaching its limit
Measured at 7.3 ng/L — 73% of the 10 ng/L limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Pleasanton's drinking water received a grade of C+ (65.3 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,238 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 6.2 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 108 violations on record, including 78 health-based violations. 15 remain unresolved.
Pleasanton ranks #261 out of 312 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Pleasanton may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 10 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Pleasanton's water
Every contaminant flagged in Pleasanton, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 6.2 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Kansas
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Kansas
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Pleasanton's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 108 violations on record, including 78 health-based violations. 15 remain unresolved.
4 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 5.1 ppb since 2007. Latest reading: 6.9 ppb (2025) — 46% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Pleasanton's water comes from
Pleasanton's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
1,238 people
Residents served across Pleasanton's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,238 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINN CO RWD 2 | KS2010707 | 1,960 | Purchased Surface Water |
| PLEASANTON, CITY OF | KS2010704 | 1,238 | Surface Water |
Water bodies near Pleasanton
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Pleasanton's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Pleasanton's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
2 federal disaster declarations on record for Linn County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Pleasanton compares
Scores for nearby Kansas cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Kansas average (62/100)
Pleasanton scores 65.3/100 — on par with the Kansas average of 62/100. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities. Full Kansas rankings →
86.1 / 100BWichita, KS
83.9 / 100BOlathe, KS
79.5 / 100FTopeka, KS
39.3 / 100BLawrence, KS
74.6 / 100CManhattan, KS
56.4 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Pleasanton's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 6.2 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Pleasanton alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Pleasanton, KS tap water safe to drink?
Pleasanton's water quality earned a grade of C+ (65.3/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #261 out of 312 cities tested in Kansas.
What contaminants are in Pleasanton's water?
Lead was measured at 6.2 ppb (90th percentile). 108 violations are on record.
How is Pleasanton'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 Pleasanton?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Pleasanton's water come from?
Pleasanton's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,238 residents.
What health violations has Pleasanton's water system had?
Pleasanton has 78 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in June 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 15 violations remain unresolved.
How does Pleasanton's water compare to other cities?
Pleasanton ranks #261 out of 312 cities in Kansas (better than 16% of state cities) and #11357 out of 15382 cities nationally (26th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.