Copper Contamination

Copper in Kansas Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile copper level (mg/L) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

100%

% Exceeds Limit

2.947 mg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

270

Health Violations

Analysis

Copper in Kansas: what the data shows

Kansas has 89 cities with copper monitoring data. The state average 90th percentile copper level is 2.947 mg/L, compared to 28.808 mg/L nationally — better than the national average. 89 cities exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L. Copper in drinking water typically comes from corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, particularly in older homes. The EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L is the 90th percentile threshold — if more than 10% of tap samples exceed it, utilities must take corrective action including adjusting water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. Short-term copper exposure above the action level can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure at elevated levels is associated with liver and kidney damage. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use and using an NSF 53-certified filter can reduce copper exposure.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1.3 mg/L EPA Action Level

Kansas

100%

89 of 89 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

3953 of 3953 cities

City Map

Copper data across Kansas

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with copper levels above the 1.3 mg/L EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by copper level in Kansas

Highest Copper levels (mg/L)

All Cities

All Kansas cities ranked by copper level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Wichita	105.000 mg/L	Yes	4	B+
2	Neodesha	10.000 mg/L	Yes	53	F
3	Wakefield	3.180 mg/L	Yes	4	B
4	Colby	2.730 mg/L	Yes	0	A-
5	Meriden	2.500 mg/L	Yes	14	B+
6	Assaria	2.443 mg/L	Yes	0	B
7	Carlton	2.414 mg/L	Yes	6	A-
8	Waterville	2.400 mg/L	Yes	7	B
9	Manhattan	2.357 mg/L	Yes	19	C-
10	Ozawkie	2.310 mg/L	Yes	8	C
11	Marquette	2.120 mg/L	Yes	16	B+
12	Norton	2.100 mg/L	Yes	43	B-
13	Oskaloosa	2.100 mg/L	Yes	3	B+
14	Burrton	2.058 mg/L	Yes	2	B
15	Madison	2.051 mg/L	Yes	56	D+
16	Seneca	2.000 mg/L	Yes	3	B
17	North Newton	2.000 mg/L	Yes	0	A-
18	Bennington	2.000 mg/L	Yes	1	B
19	Oberlin	1.946 mg/L	Yes	64	B
20	Larned	1.900 mg/L	Yes	9	B-
21	Belle Plaine	1.900 mg/L	Yes	19	C
22	Russell	1.864 mg/L	Yes	37	F
23	Newton	1.861 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
24	Lyons	1.800 mg/L	Yes	2	B-
25	Plainville	1.800 mg/L	Yes	33	F
26	Atwood	1.800 mg/L	Yes	23	B+
27	Hays	1.712 mg/L	Yes	49	F
28	Arkansas City	1.700 mg/L	Yes	7	C-
29	Maize	1.700 mg/L	Yes	0	A
30	Hillsboro	1.700 mg/L	Yes	14	C+
31	Hanover	1.700 mg/L	Yes	2	B-
32	Inman	1.700 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
33	Blue Rapids	1.700 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
34	Eskridge	1.700 mg/L	Yes	10	B
35	Cedar Vale	1.684 mg/L	Yes	15	C+
36	Milford	1.676 mg/L	Yes	55	C
37	Cheney	1.662 mg/L	Yes	11	A-
38	Goddard	1.630 mg/L	Yes	1	B-
39	Ness City	1.625 mg/L	Yes	3	B+
40	Walton	1.619 mg/L	Yes	5	B-
41	Conway Springs	1.600 mg/L	Yes	104	D+
42	Washington	1.600 mg/L	Yes	3	B
43	Perry	1.600 mg/L	Yes	5	C+
44	Galva	1.600 mg/L	Yes	5	B+
45	Durham	1.600 mg/L	Yes	5	B-
46	Pratt	1.599 mg/L	Yes	6	C+
47	Silver Lake	1.594 mg/L	Yes	6	A-
48	Beattie	1.574 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
49	Haysville	1.560 mg/L	Yes	4	A
50	Troy	1.556 mg/L	Yes	3	A-
51	Tonganoxie	1.550 mg/L	Yes	5	C+
52	Salina	1.500 mg/L	Yes	9	F
53	Bonner Springs	1.500 mg/L	Yes	3	B
54	Clay Center	1.500 mg/L	Yes	11	B-
55	Concordia	1.500 mg/L	Yes	1	B
56	Hesston	1.500 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
57	Olsburg	1.500 mg/L	Yes	4	C+
58	Glen Elder	1.500 mg/L	Yes	140	F
59	Solomon	1.500 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
60	Garden Plain	1.500 mg/L	Yes	0	B+
61	Courtland	1.500 mg/L	Yes	2	A-
62	Powhattan	1.500 mg/L	Yes	42	B-
63	Leon	1.500 mg/L	Yes	1	B
64	Scranton	1.500 mg/L	Yes	4	B-
65	Harper	1.467 mg/L	Yes	10	C-
66	Attica	1.460 mg/L	Yes	14	B+
67	Grantville	1.440 mg/L	Yes	34	B-
68	Topeka	1.420 mg/L	Yes	56	F
69	Derby	1.410 mg/L	Yes	11	B-
70	Hutchinson	1.400 mg/L	Yes	5	D+
71	Great Bend	1.400 mg/L	Yes	21	F
72	Mcpherson	1.400 mg/L	Yes	0	B+
73	Wamego	1.400 mg/L	Yes	4	B-
74	Basehor	1.400 mg/L	Yes	1	B
75	Overbrook	1.400 mg/L	Yes	11	B-
76	Lindsborg	1.400 mg/L	Yes	7	B
77	Marysville	1.400 mg/L	Yes	0	A-
78	Clearwater	1.400 mg/L	Yes	2	C+
79	Halstead	1.400 mg/L	Yes	5	C+
80	Ellis	1.400 mg/L	Yes	8	B
81	Moundridge	1.400 mg/L	Yes	0	B+
82	Chapman	1.400 mg/L	Yes	3	C+
83	Little River	1.400 mg/L	Yes	0	B+
84	Highland	1.400 mg/L	Yes	19	C-
85	Osborne	1.400 mg/L	Yes	14	B
86	Maple Hill	1.400 mg/L	Yes	8	B+
87	Esbon	1.400 mg/L	Yes	39	B-
88	Vassar	1.400 mg/L	Yes	43	B+
89	Mankato	1.385 mg/L	Yes	1	B

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about copper in Kansas

Is copper in Kansas drinking water safe?

89 cities in Kansas exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L for copper. The state average is 2.947 mg/L. Copper levels are highest in homes with copper plumbing, particularly when water sits in pipes overnight. Flushing the tap before use significantly reduces copper in drinking water.

What causes high copper levels in Kansas tap water?

Copper typically leaches from copper pipes and brass fittings within homes, not from the water source itself. Corrosive (low pH or soft) water accelerates this leaching. Water utilities with high copper readings are required to adjust water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use.

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