Chlorate in Kansas Drinking Water
Ranked by max chlorate detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR
Chlorate in Kansas: what the data shows
Kansas has 23 cities with chlorate data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Chlorate exceeded the 210 µg/L EPA lifetime health advisory in 9 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 260.5 µg/L. Chlorate is a disinfection byproduct that forms when chlorine dioxide or hypochlorite solutions are used to disinfect drinking water. It is most common in systems that use chlorine dioxide for taste-and-odor control or that store hypochlorite for extended periods. There is no federal MCL — the EPA lifetime health advisory is 210 µg/L. Chlorate can interfere with thyroid function by blocking iodide uptake, an effect of particular concern for pregnant women, infants, and people with thyroid conditions. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (anion-specific) are effective at removing chlorate; standard activated carbon filters provide only modest reduction.
Cities exceeding 210 µg/L EPA lifetime HA (no MCL)
Chlorate data across Kansas
Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 chlorate testing data. Cities where chlorate exceeds the 210 µg/L EPA lifetime health advisory are highlighted. Size reflects population served.
Top 10 cities by chlorate level in Kansas
Highest Chlorate levels (µg/L)
All Kansas cities ranked by chlorate level
| # | City | Level | Level | Over HA? | Violations | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lawrence | 1300.0 µg/L | Over HA | 2 | B- | |
| 2 | Atchison | 690.0 µg/L | Over HA | 55 | C- | |
| 3 | Russell | 600.0 µg/L | Over HA | 37 | F | |
| 4 | Arkansas City | 540.0 µg/L | Over HA | 7 | C- | |
| 5 | Frankfort | 472.6 µg/L | Over HA | 4 | B+ | |
| 6 | Coffeyville | 420.0 µg/L | Over HA | 23 | C+ | |
| 7 | Fort Riley | 346.0 µg/L | Over HA | 9 | A- | |
| 8 | Manhattan | 240.0 µg/L | Over HA | 19 | C- | |
| 9 | Bonner Springs | 230.6 µg/L | Over HA | 3 | B | |
| 10 | Kansas City | 210.0 µg/L | No | 1 | A- | |
| 11 | Garden City | 207.0 µg/L | No | 76 | F | |
| 12 | Olathe | 150.0 µg/L | No | 5 | B | |
| 13 | Linwood | 133.1 µg/L | No | 7 | B | |
| 14 | Salina | 93.0 µg/L | No | 9 | F | |
| 15 | Hays | 77.0 µg/L | No | 49 | F | |
| 16 | Topeka | 65.4 µg/L | No | 56 | F | |
| 17 | Newton | 56.6 µg/L | No | 2 | B+ | |
| 18 | Mcpherson | 36.5 µg/L | No | 0 | B+ | |
| 19 | Ottawa | 34.0 µg/L | No | 22 | C+ | |
| 20 | Winfield | 25.0 µg/L | No | 8 | B | |
| 21 | Parsons | 22.0 µg/L | No | 71 | C+ | |
| 22 | Gardner | 21.0 µg/L | No | 11 | A- | |
| 23 | Johnson City | 20.9 µg/L | No | 0 | A- |
Frequently asked questions about chlorate in Kansas
Is chlorate in Kansas tap water dangerous?
Chlorate has no federal MCL. The EPA lifetime health advisory is 210 µg/L. 9 cities in Kansas exceed this level. Chlorate can interfere with thyroid iodide uptake, which is a particular concern for infants, pregnant women, and people with hypothyroidism.
Where does chlorate in Kansas water come from?
Chlorate is a byproduct of chlorine-based disinfectants — particularly chlorine dioxide and hypochlorite (bleach) solutions. Levels tend to be higher in systems that use chlorine dioxide for taste-and-odor treatment or store sodium hypochlorite at high concentrations or for long periods. Levels vary seasonally with disinfectant use.
How can I reduce chlorate exposure?
Reverse osmosis is the most effective home treatment for chlorate, typically removing 80–95%. Anion exchange systems also work but require regeneration. Standard activated carbon filters provide only limited chlorate reduction. Boiling does NOT remove chlorate.