WaterVerge

Is Rossville, KS Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 9 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: KS2017712
Overall Score
82.7 / 100
Violations
9 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#124 of 323 in Kansas Top 44% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
82.7/100
waterverge.com
B+ 82.7/100

Rossville, KS — Water Quality Report

Rossville's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,099 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 12 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Rossville's water

Rossville ranks #124 out of 323 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
82.7 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
40.7/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Rossville, KS water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Rossville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (82.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,099 residents using groundwater (wells).

9
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
4 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Rossville

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Rossville's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (82.7/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Groundwater Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Groundwater 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-1000). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Rossville's water system has 12 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

RPTMROther
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Feb 2025 Groundwater Rule Resolved
Aug 2017 Groundwater Rule Open
Jul 2014 Groundwater Rule Resolved
Jul 2007 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Shawnee 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. Local water sources include Cross C, Soldier C Nr Delia.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3236
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-1000
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-539

Where does Rossville's water come from?

Rossville's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,099 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Cross C (river), Soldier C Nr Delia (river).

What Rossville residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Monitor alerts during storms

Rossville'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

12
Total violations
0
Health-based
9
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

12 Total
9 Active
0 Health-based
3 Resolved
Violations by category
Consumer Confidence Rule
6
Ground Water Rule
3
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
1
Nitrate Rule
1
Jul 2025 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Aug 2017 Active
Groundwater Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2007 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2006 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2001 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2000 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 1999 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Feb 2025 Resolved
Groundwater Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Feb 2025
Jul 2014 Resolved
Groundwater Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2014
Oct 1998 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1999
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

4
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Shawnee 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.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3236
Jul 1993
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1000
Sep 1977
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #539
May 1973
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #378

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 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 4.7 ppb from 2004 (4.7 ppb) to 2023 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,099
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Rossville's water comes from

Groundwater

Rossville'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 1,099 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Rossville

Rossville is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Cross C
river
Soldier C Nr Delia
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Rossville

System Name PWSID Population Source
ROSSVILLE, CITY OF KS2017712 1,099 GW
Regional Comparison

How Rossville compares

Full Kansas rankings →

Rossville's score of 82.7/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Kansas cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Rossville (this city)
82.7
Wichita
83.9
Olathe
79.5
Topeka
39.3
Lawrence
74.6
Kansas avg
62
City Profile

About Rossville, KS

Economic Profile
$52,500
Median Income
$128,204
Median Home Value
$946/mo
Median Rent
6.3%
Unemployment
Community
35
Median Age
755
People / sq mi
20.6%
College Educated
55.3%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Rossville, KS tap water safe to drink?

Rossville's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #124 out of 323 cities tested in Kansas.

What contaminants are in Rossville's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 12 violations are on record.

How is Rossville'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 Rossville?

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

Where does Rossville's water come from?

Rossville's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,099 residents.

Is Rossville's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Rossville 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 12 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 Rossville's water compare to other cities?

Rossville ranks #124 out of 323 cities in Kansas (better than 62% of state cities) and #6834 out of 15744 cities nationally (57th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Rossville's small water system affect quality?

Rossville's system serves approximately 1,099 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 12 violations on record.