Lithium Contamination

Lithium in Kansas Drinking Water

Ranked by max lithium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 5 data (2023–2025) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Detected

100%

% Detected

41.3 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

270

Health Violations

Analysis

Lithium in Kansas: what the data shows

Kansas has 66 cities with lithium data from the EPA's UCMR 5 program (2023–2025). Lithium was detected in 66 of those cities. There is currently no federal MCL or health advisory for lithium — the state average max detected level is 41.3 µg/L. Nationally, lithium is detected in roughly 28% of sampled water systems. Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in arid western states, and is concentrated in some surface waters near industrial discharge or geothermal sources. UCMR 5 added lithium monitoring in 2023, providing the first systematic national snapshot of public-water lithium levels. At therapeutic doses (administered as a medication), lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. Chronic low-dose exposure from drinking water has been associated in some studies with effects on thyroid function and possibly mood. The most protective state guidance value is around 60 µg/L. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange are effective removal methods.

Comparison

Cities exceeding No federal MCL or HA

Kansas

100%

66 of 66 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

2808 of 2808 cities

City Map

Lithium data across Kansas

Each dot is a city with UCMR 5 lithium testing data. Detected cities are shown — there is no federal limit, though some states use 60 µg/L as a screening level. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lithium level in Kansas

Highest Lithium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Kansas cities ranked by lithium level

#	City	Level	Detected?	Violations	Grade
1	Pittsburg	204.0 µg/L	Detected	11	B
2	Dodge City	166.0 µg/L	Detected	12	A-
3	Leavenworth	130.0 µg/L	Detected	6	B-
4	Frontenac	114.0 µg/L	Detected	15	B
5	Hays	105.0 µg/L	Detected	49	F
6	Scott City	85.1 µg/L	Detected	26	B+
7	Larned	73.1 µg/L	Detected	9	B-
8	Baxter Springs	72.2 µg/L	Detected	34	C+
9	Colby	68.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
10	Fort Leavenworth	61.8 µg/L	Detected	4	A+
11	Atchison	60.4 µg/L	Detected	55	C-
12	Lansing	60.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
13	Winchester	58.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
14	Goodland	55.6 µg/L	Detected	21	B+
15	Kansas City	55.3 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
16	Lancaster	55.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
17	Baldwin City	53.3 µg/L	Detected	3	B+
18	Ulysses	52.0 µg/L	Detected	4	A
19	Wathena	51.5 µg/L	Detected	3	B
20	Concordia	47.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B
21	Russell	45.7 µg/L	Detected	37	F
22	Garden City	44.0 µg/L	Detected	76	F
23	Canton	43.3 µg/L	Detected	11	B
24	Salina	41.7 µg/L	Detected	9	F
25	Great Bend	41.5 µg/L	Detected	21	F
26	Basehor	41.4 µg/L	Detected	1	B
27	Gardner	41.1 µg/L	Detected	11	A-
28	Tonganoxie	40.0 µg/L	Detected	5	C+
29	Liberal	38.4 µg/L	Detected	9	D
30	Hugoton	37.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
31	Derby	31.8 µg/L	Detected	11	B-
32	Fort Riley	30.9 µg/L	Detected	9	A-
33	Lyons	29.1 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
34	Lawrence	27.3 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
35	Wichita	24.3 µg/L	Detected	4	B+
36	Junction City	24.2 µg/L	Detected	21	D
37	Moundridge	23.5 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
38	Wamego	22.6 µg/L	Detected	4	B-
39	Benton	22.1 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
40	Topeka	21.0 µg/L	Detected	56	F
41	Park City	21.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
42	Pratt	20.8 µg/L	Detected	6	C+
43	Olathe	20.7 µg/L	Detected	5	B
44	Goddard	20.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
45	Auburn	20.0 µg/L	Detected	11	B
46	Mcpherson	18.9 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
47	Tecumseh	18.8 µg/L	Detected	4	B+
48	Hesston	18.2 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
49	Valley Center	18.0 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
50	Perry	18.0 µg/L	Detected	5	C+
51	Rose Hill	17.6 µg/L	Detected	12	F
52	Manhattan	17.4 µg/L	Detected	19	C-
53	Eudora	17.3 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
54	Maize	17.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
55	Maple Hill	16.9 µg/L	Detected	8	B+
56	Desoto	16.3 µg/L	Detected	5	B-
57	Bonner Springs	15.0 µg/L	Detected	3	B
58	Bel Aire	15.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
59	Newton	14.2 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
60	Hutchinson	13.7 µg/L	Detected	5	D+
61	Haysville	13.2 µg/L	Detected	4	A
62	Clay Center	13.2 µg/L	Detected	11	B-
63	Abilene	12.5 µg/L	Detected	20	B+
64	Wellington	12.4 µg/L	Detected	32	C-
65	Medicine Lodge	12.0 µg/L	Detected	1	C+
66	Arkansas City	9.1 µg/L	Detected	7	C-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lithium in Kansas

Is lithium in Kansas tap water harmful?

Lithium has no federal MCL or health advisory. Some state agencies use 60 µg/L as a screening level. 66 cities in Kansas had detectable lithium in UCMR 5 testing. Therapeutic lithium doses (used to treat bipolar disorder) are far higher than typical drinking-water levels, but chronic low-level exposure has been studied for potential thyroid and mood effects.

Where does lithium in tap water come from?

Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, especially in arid western states with lithium-bearing geology (parts of Nevada, California, North Carolina, Texas). It can also enter water from industrial sources such as battery manufacturing, ceramics, and lithium-mining wastewater. Geothermal hot springs are another natural source.

How can I remove lithium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis is highly effective at removing lithium, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Ion exchange systems and distillation also work well. Standard activated carbon filters are NOT effective against lithium. If you rely on a private well in a lithium-rich geological area, consider testing.

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