PFAS Contamination

PFAS in Kansas Drinking Water

Ranked by number of PFAS compounds detected · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

% Exceeds Limit

1.5 compounds

State Avg

▼ 15% vs national

vs National

270

Health Violations

Analysis

PFAS in Kansas: what the data shows

Kansas has 89 cities with PFAS monitoring data from the EPA's UCMR 5 program. PFAS ("forever chemicals") were detected in 77 of those cities (87%), with some cities exceeding the EPA's 2024 maximum contaminant levels of 4 ppt. The state average is better than the national average. 5 cities exceed the EPA MCL for at least one PFAS compound. PFAS are linked to cancer, immune system disruption, and developmental issues. The 2024 EPA rule requires water systems exceeding the MCL to notify customers and reduce levels by 2029. PFAS data comes from the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR 5), which required large water systems to test for 29 PFAS compounds between 2023–2025. Not all systems have completed testing — cities without data may still have PFAS present.

Comparison

Cities exceeding EPA MCL (4 ppt each)

Kansas

5 of 89 cities

← ▼ 15% below national rate (better)

National avg

21%

1662 of 7853 cities

City Map

PFAS data across Kansas

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. PFAS-tested cities are shown; those exceeding the 4 ppt EPA MCL appear in red. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by pfas level in Kansas

Highest PFAS levels (compounds)

All Cities

All Kansas cities ranked by pfas level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Great Bend	11 compounds	Yes	21	F
2	Fort Riley	8 compounds	Yes	9	A-
3	Pratt	7 compounds	Yes	6	C+
4	Park City	6 compounds	Yes	1	B-
5	Hays	5 compounds	No	49	F
6	Salina	4 compounds	No	9	F
7	Hugoton	4 compounds	No	0	A
8	Lawrence	3 compounds	No	2	B-
9	Gardner	3 compounds	No	11	A-
10	Arkansas City	3 compounds	Yes	7	C-
11	Paola	3 compounds	No	7	A-
12	Kansas City	2 compounds	No	1	A-
13	Topeka	2 compounds	No	56	F
14	Dodge City	2 compounds	No	12	A-
15	Wamego	2 compounds	No	4	B-
16	Valley Center	2 compounds	No	0	B+
17	Wellington	2 compounds	No	32	C-
18	Goddard	2 compounds	No	1	B-
19	Tecumseh	2 compounds	No	4	B+
20	Iola	2 compounds	No	19	D+
21	Berryton	2 compounds	No	4	A
22	Desoto	2 compounds	No	5	B-
23	Wichita	1 compounds	No	4	B+
24	Olathe	1 compounds	No	5	B
25	Manhattan	1 compounds	No	19	C-
26	Leavenworth	1 compounds	No	6	B-
27	Hutchinson	1 compounds	No	5	D+
28	Garden City	1 compounds	No	76	F
29	Derby	1 compounds	No	11	B-
30	Pittsburg	1 compounds	No	11	B
31	Liberal	1 compounds	No	9	D
32	Junction City	1 compounds	No	21	D
33	Newton	1 compounds	No	2	B+
34	Mcpherson	1 compounds	No	0	B+
35	Fort Scott	1 compounds	No	12	B+
36	Ottawa	1 compounds	No	22	C+
37	Fort Leavenworth	1 compounds	No	4	A+
38	Atchison	1 compounds	No	55	C-
39	Haysville	1 compounds	No	4	A
40	Bonner Springs	1 compounds	No	3	B
41	Hillsdale	1 compounds	No	11	A-
42	Coffeyville	1 compounds	No	23	C+
43	Bel Aire	1 compounds	No	1	B+
44	Tonganoxie	1 compounds	No	5	C+
45	Basehor	1 compounds	No	1	B
46	Baldwin City	1 compounds	No	3	B+
47	Benton	1 compounds	No	1	A-
48	Lansing	1 compounds	No	1	B+
49	Mulvane	1 compounds	No	10	B-
50	Abilene	1 compounds	No	20	B+
51	Eudora	1 compounds	No	0	A-
52	Ulysses	1 compounds	No	4	A
53	Maize	1 compounds	No	0	A
54	Spring Hill	1 compounds	No	1	B+
55	Larned	1 compounds	No	9	B-
56	Colby	1 compounds	No	0	A-
57	Clay Center	1 compounds	No	11	B-
58	Concordia	1 compounds	No	1	B
59	Louisburg	1 compounds	No	36	B+
60	Russell	1 compounds	No	37	F
61	Goodland	1 compounds	No	21	B+
62	Rose Hill	1 compounds	No	12	F
63	Auburn	1 compounds	No	11	B
64	Winchester	1 compounds	No	1	B+
65	Lancaster	1 compounds	No	1	B+
66	Baxter Springs	1 compounds	No	34	C+
67	Frontenac	1 compounds	No	15	B
68	Scott City	1 compounds	No	26	B+
69	Lyons	1 compounds	No	2	B-
70	Hesston	1 compounds	No	2	B+
71	Wathena	1 compounds	No	3	B
72	Council Grove	1 compounds	No	29	B+
73	Moundridge	1 compounds	No	0	B+
74	Medicine Lodge	1 compounds	No	1	C+
75	Perry	1 compounds	No	5	C+
76	Maple Hill	1 compounds	No	8	B+
77	Canton	1 compounds	No	11	B
78	Emporia	0 compounds	No	16	C+
79	El Dorado	0 compounds	No	32	D
80	Winfield	0 compounds	No	8	B
81	Parsons	0 compounds	No	71	C+
82	Chanute	0 compounds	No	66	D
83	Independence	0 compounds	No	12	C
84	Augusta	0 compounds	No	18	B
85	Holton	0 compounds	No	9	A-
86	Osawatomie	0 compounds	No	37	D
87	Moran	0 compounds	No	13	C-
88	Waverly	0 compounds	No	1	A-
89	Gas City	0 compounds	No	1	A-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about pfas in Kansas

Does Kansas tap water contain PFAS?

PFAS were detected in 77 of 89 Kansas cities tested under EPA's UCMR 5 program. 5 cities exceed the 2024 EPA MCL of 4 ppt for individual PFAS compounds.

How can I remove PFAS from my drinking water in Kansas?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing PFAS, typically removing 90%+ of compounds. High-quality activated carbon block filters (NSF 58-certified for RO, or NSF 53 for solid carbon) also provide significant reduction. Standard pitcher filters vary widely in PFAS removal.

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