Is Powhattan, 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 ↓
72.6/100
waterverge.com Powhattan, KS — Water Quality Report
Powhattan's drinking water received a grade of B- (72.6 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 793 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.0 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 89 violations on record, including 42 health-based violations. 19 remain unresolved.
What to know about Powhattan's water
Powhattan ranks #226 out of 323 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Powhattan 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, Powhattan may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Powhattan, KS water safe to drink?
Powhattan's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (72.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 793 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Powhattan
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Powhattan's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (72.6/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence 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 Powhattan'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
Powhattan's water system has 89 total violations on record, including 42 health-based violations. 19 remain unresolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Brown County has experienced 4 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 Powhattan's water come from?
Powhattan's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 793 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Powhattan residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Powhattan'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.
Powhattan'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
Flood & disaster history
Brown County has experienced 4 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 Powhattan'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. | 2.0 | 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. | 1.50 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 1.500 mg/L (2004)
EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
See how Powhattan compares by contaminant
Explore where Powhattan ranks among all Kansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Powhattan's water comes from
Powhattan 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 Powhattan'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 793 people through 3 water systems.
Water systems serving Powhattan
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BROWN CO RWD 2 | KS2001312 | 724 | GWP |
| POWHATTAN, CITY OF | KS2001303 | 68 | GWP |
| PUBLIC WHOLESALE WSD 27 | KS2001313 | 1 | GW |
How Powhattan compares
Full Kansas rankings →Powhattan's score of 72.6/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Kansas cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Kansas rankings →About Powhattan, KS
Wikipedia →Powhattan is a city in Brown County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 69.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Powhattan's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Brown
Frequently asked questions
Is Powhattan, KS tap water safe to drink?
Powhattan's water quality earned a grade of B- (72.6/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #226 out of 323 cities tested in Kansas.
What contaminants are in Powhattan's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 89 violations are on record.
How is Powhattan'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 Powhattan?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Powhattan's water come from?
Powhattan's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 793 residents.
What health violations has Powhattan's water system had?
Powhattan has 42 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 19 violations remain unresolved.
Is Powhattan's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Powhattan 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 89 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 Powhattan's water compare to other cities?
Powhattan ranks #226 out of 323 cities in Kansas (better than 30% of state cities) and #10281 out of 15744 cities nationally (35th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.