Is Smith Center, KS Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
87/100
waterverge.com Smith Center, KS — Water Quality Report
Smith Center's drinking water received a grade of A- (87 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,572 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.4 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 9 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
What to know about Smith Center's water
Smith Center ranks #37 out of 323 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Smith Center 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, Smith Center may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Smith Center, KS water safe to drink?
Smith Center's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,572 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Smith Center
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Smith Center's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (87/100).
Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Contaminants: Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
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 Smith Center's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Smith Center's water system has 9 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Smith County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1993. 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 Smith Center's water come from?
Smith Center's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,572 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Smith Center residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Smith Center'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.
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 Smith Center
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Smith Center, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
ARLWIN MANUFACTURING CO INC SMITH CENTER, KS66967 | — | — | 0.9 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtSmith County is currently in D1 (moderate 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
Smith County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1993. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 1.4 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Smith Center compares by contaminant
Explore where Smith Center ranks among all Kansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Smith Center's water comes from
Smith Center'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 1,572 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Smith Center
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMITH CENTER, CITY OF | KS2018303 | 1,572 | GW |
How Smith Center compares
Full Kansas rankings →Smith Center's score of 87/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Kansas cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Kansas rankings →About Smith Center, KS
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Smith Center's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Smith
Frequently asked questions
Is Smith Center, KS tap water safe to drink?
Smith Center's water quality earned a grade of A- (87/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #37 out of 323 cities tested in Kansas.
What contaminants are in Smith Center's water?
Lead was measured at 1.4 ppb (90th percentile). 9 violations are on record.
How is Smith Center'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 Smith Center?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Smith Center's water come from?
Smith Center's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,572 residents.
What health violations has Smith Center's water system had?
Smith Center has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.
Is Smith Center's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Smith Center 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 9 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 Smith Center's water compare to other cities?
Smith Center ranks #37 out of 323 cities in Kansas (better than 89% of state cities) and #4334 out of 15744 cities nationally (73th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Smith Center's small water system affect quality?
Smith Center's system serves approximately 1,572 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 9 violations on record.