Is Westphalia, KS Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
84.4/100
waterverge.com Westphalia, KS — Water Quality Report
Westphalia's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,200 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.1 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 1 health-based violation. 5 remain unresolved.
What to know about Westphalia's water
Westphalia ranks #97 out of 323 cities in Kansas for water quality, placing it mid-range 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.
As a small community water system, Westphalia may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Westphalia, KS water safe to drink?
Westphalia's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (84.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,200 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Westphalia
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Westphalia's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (84.4/100).
Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3236). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Westphalia's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Westphalia's water system has 9 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 5 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Anderson County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. 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 Pottawatomie C Nr Garnett.
Where does Westphalia's water come from?
Westphalia's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,200 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Pottawatomie C Nr Garnett (river).
What Westphalia residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Westphalia'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
Flood & disaster history
Anderson County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. 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. | 1.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Westphalia compares by contaminant
Explore where Westphalia ranks among all Kansas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Westphalia's water comes from
Westphalia's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
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 1,200 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Westphalia
Westphalia is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Westphalia
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANDERSON CO RWD 4 | KS2000303 | 1,200 | SWP |
How Westphalia compares
Full Kansas rankings →Westphalia's score of 84.4/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Kansas cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Kansas rankings →About Westphalia, KS
Wikipedia →Garnett is a city in and the county seat of Anderson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 3,242.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Westphalia's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Anderson
Frequently asked questions
Is Westphalia, KS tap water safe to drink?
Westphalia's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #97 out of 323 cities tested in Kansas.
What contaminants are in Westphalia's water?
Lead was measured at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile). 9 violations are on record.
How is Westphalia'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 Westphalia?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Westphalia's water come from?
Westphalia's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,200 residents.
What health violations has Westphalia's water system had?
Westphalia has 1 health-based violation 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. 5 violations remain unresolved.
How does Westphalia's water compare to other cities?
Westphalia ranks #97 out of 323 cities in Kansas (better than 70% of state cities) and #5933 out of 15744 cities nationally (62th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Westphalia's small water system affect quality?
Westphalia's system serves approximately 1,200 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.