WaterVerge

Is St George, KS Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded C+, with 14 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

998 residents served 1 water system PWSID: KS2014917
Overall Score
67 / 100
Violations
14 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#261 of 323 in Kansas Top 72% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
C+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
67/100
waterverge.com
C+ 67/100

St George, KS — Water Quality Report

St George's drinking water received a grade of C+ (67 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 998 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 51 violations on record, including 18 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about St George's water

St George ranks #261 out of 323 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

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

The system has seen 9 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
67 out of 100 Grade C+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
20/45
F
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
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is St George, KS water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

St George's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (67/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 998 residents using groundwater (wells).

14
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for St George

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into St George's water quality assessment. Grade: C+ (67/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Nitrate.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Nitrate.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Nitrate.

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 St George's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

St George's water system has 51 total violations on record, including 18 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved. 9 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MCLOtherMR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 Nitrate Resolved
Apr 2025 Nitrate Resolved
Jan 2025 Nitrate Resolved
Oct 2024 Nitrate Resolved
Jul 2024 Nitrate Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Pottawatomie 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. Local water sources include Kansas R, Rock C Nr Louisville.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3236
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-1000
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-378

Where does St George's water come from?

St George's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 998 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Kansas R (river), Rock C Nr Louisville (river).

What St George residents can do

Install a water filter

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

St George'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

51
Total violations
18
Health-based
14
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

51 Total
14 Active
18 Health-based
37 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
24
Nitrate Rule
13
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
5
Consumer Confidence Rule
4
Lead and Copper Rule
3
Sep 2018 Active
Groundwater Rule
Other Violation 0
Feb 2016 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2014 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2014 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2008 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Apr 2007 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Aug 2006 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2006 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2006 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Aug 2005 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 1999 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 1993 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jul 2025 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2025
Jan 2025 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2025
Oct 2024 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2024
Jul 2024 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2024
Apr 2024 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2024
Showing 20 of 51 violations
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

3
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Pottawatomie 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.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3236
Jul 1993
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1000
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 2.3 ppb from 2004 (2.3 ppb) to 2023 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
998
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where St George's water comes from

Groundwater

St George'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 998 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near St George

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

Kansas R
river
Rock C Nr Louisville
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving St George

System Name PWSID Population Source
ST GEORGE, CITY OF KS2014917 998 GW
Regional Comparison

How St George compares

Full Kansas rankings →

St George's score of 67/100 is on par with the average of 62/100 among major Kansas cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.

St George (this city)
67
Wichita
83.9
Olathe
79.5
Topeka
39.3
Lawrence
74.6
Kansas avg
62
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Frequently asked questions

Is St George, KS tap water safe to drink?

St George's water quality earned a grade of C+ (67/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #261 out of 323 cities tested in Kansas.

What contaminants are in St George's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 51 violations are on record.

How is St George'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 St George?

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

Where does St George's water come from?

St George's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 998 residents.

What health violations has St George's water system had?

St George has 18 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. 14 violations remain unresolved.

Is St George's groundwater at risk of contamination?

St George 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 51 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 St George's water compare to other cities?

St George ranks #261 out of 323 cities in Kansas (better than 19% of state cities) and #11296 out of 15744 cities nationally (28th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does St George's small water system affect quality?

St George's system serves approximately 998 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 51 violations on record.