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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
EPA records for KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES • Updated September 2026
Grade A — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES has a clean recent record: no health-based violations in the last five years and no lead, PFAS or historical monitoring result that costs it more than a few points.
Yes — by EPA's records Kansas City, KS tap water is safe to drink and earns an A. The grade rests on lead at 7.5 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes — by EPA's records Kansas City, KS tap water is safe to drink and earns an A. The grade rests on lead at 7.5 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31) was 7.5 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
No. None of the 116 UCMR5 PFAS results for KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES (2024-01-02 to 2024-10-01) were at or above the reporting limit of roughly 3–5 ppt.
KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES has 14 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 2 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES reports groundwater under surface-water influence as its primary source and serves about 152,960 people (EPA PWSID KS2020906).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles lead and improves taste.
Compare filter options for your Kansas City tap water
Lead was found at 7.5 ppb (90th percentile) in Kansas City's latest tap sampling — below the action level, but there is no safe level of lead.
Unsure which contaminants to treat? Compare home kits and certified lab testing before buying.
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KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES · SDWIS records since 2016 · 5-year window starts 2021-09-13
EPA records no health-based violations for this system in the last five years. The 2 violations on file in that window are monitoring or reporting paperwork issues, not measured contaminant exceedances.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)TTHM | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-07-01 → 2023-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2023-09-30 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-07-01 → 2023-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2023-09-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularEndrin | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularBHC-GAMMA | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularLASSO | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularHeptachlor | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularHeptachlor epoxide | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularChlordane | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularTotal Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularHEXACHLOROBENZENE | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularToxaphene | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularAtrazine | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularMethoxychlor | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularSimazine | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2017-12-31 |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_VIOLATIONS_ENFORCEMENT.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported by KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
Below the action level, but detectable. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31), 90% of the homes KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES sampled had lead at or below 7.5 ppb.
EPA's action level is 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb under the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). There is no safe level of lead; the 90th-percentile figure describes the system, not your tap — homes with lead service lines or pre-1986 plumbing can be higher.
| Monitoring period | Lead 90th percentile | vs 15 ppb action level |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | 7.5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2018-01-01 → 2020-12-31 | 4.4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2015-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | 7.2 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2012-01-01 → 2014-12-31 | 6.9 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2008-01-01 → 2010-12-31 | 5.5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2005-01-01 → 2007-12-31 | 2 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 1999-01-01 → 1999-12-31 | 2 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 1996-01-01 → 1996-12-31 | 4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 1995-01-01 → 1995-12-31 | 3 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 1994-01-01 → 1994-12-31 | 3 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 1992-07-01 → 1992-12-31 | 6 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_LCR_SAMPLES.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA UCMR5 monitoring, 2024-01-02 to 2024-10-01 · 116 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
No PFAS detected. None of the 116 UCMR5 PFAS results for KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES were at or above the method reporting limit. Reporting limits are about 3–5 ppt, so “not detected” means below that threshold — not proven zero.
| Compound | Detects / samples | Max (ppt) | Reporting limit | EPA MCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 0 / 4 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 0 / 4 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 0 / 4 | < 3 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 4 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 0 / 4 | < 5 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 0 / 4 | < 3 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
“< 4 ppt” means below the laboratory reporting limit, not zero. ppt = parts per trillion (ng/L). Results are for finished water leaving the treatment plant.
Lithium (also monitored under UCMR5, not a PFAS): detected in 4 of 4 samples, max 55.3 µg/L. There is no federal limit for lithium.
What PFAS are and how to remove them →
Source: UCMR5 occurrence data, EPA Data Summary July 2026 (UCMR5_All.txt)
EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance samples for KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) is flagged below; the status column explains why. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 80 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 10 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Nitrate (as N) | 87 detects | 1.459 mg/L | 3.6 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Fluoride | 33 | 0.715 mg/L | 0.89 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 81 detects | 0.15 µg/L | 1.2 µg/L | 100 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Uranium (combined) | 3 | 4.5 µg/L | 5.7 µg/L | 30 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Radium-226/228 | 70 detects | 0 pCi/L | ND | 5 pCi/LMCL | Not detected |
| Gross alpha | 43 detects | 3.675 pCi/L | 5.4 pCi/L | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 259 | 33.181 µg/L | 97 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | 1 single sample over MCL; average within limit |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 252244 detects | 16.173 µg/L | 43 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Lead (tap samples) | 80 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 86 detects | 1.637 µg/L | 2.4 µg/L | 1300 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
Averages count non-detects as zero. TTHM and HAA5 limits are locational running annual averages, so a single high sample is not a violation — we grade those on the average only. Lead and copper rows are individual tap samples and are shown for context; compliance (and our score) uses the 90th-percentile result above. LRAA = locational running annual average; ND = not detected.
Source: SYR4 Six-Year Review compliance monitoring data 2012–2019 (released 2024-03)
A point-of-use (under-sink) system typically runs $200-$600 installed; whole-house treatment $1,000-$3,000+ depending on flow and what has to come out. Tell us where you are and a certified water-treatment installer serving Kansas City will follow up - no obligation.
KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES · 59,835 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES reports 1 service lines that are lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement (<0.1% of the lines it has inventoried). A lead service line is the pipe between the water main and a building, so treated water can pick up lead after it leaves the plant — which city-level testing does not capture. Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, utilities must replace lead lines within 10 years starting in 2027.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory (Q2 2026) · PWS ID KS2020906 · See all Kansas lead service lines. We may earn a commission from filters and test kits, at no extra cost to you.
Source type was not reported to EPA for this system.
How to test your tap water and the treatment options that actually fit Kansas City homes
The most reliable way to know what is actually coming out of your tap is a certified mail-in lab test. City-wide EPA data (like the report above) reflects the water leaving the treatment plant, but contaminants such as lead and copper can be picked up from your own service line and household plumbing — so the water at your Kansas City faucet can differ from the system average. A state-certified lab measures dozens of contaminants at once with results you can trust; you can also find one near you through the EPA's certified-lab list at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Hardware-store test strips are cheaper and instant, but they only screen for a few basics (chlorine, hardness, pH, and a rough lead pass/fail) and are far less accurate — treat them as a first look, not a diagnosis.
Match the treatment to what your test finds. Reverse osmosis (RO) removes the widest range of contaminants — lead, arsenic, nitrate, PFAS, and dissolved solids — which makes an under-sink reverse osmosis system the most thorough choice for Kansas City households with heavy-metal or PFAS concerns. If your main issue is taste, odor, or chlorine, an activated carbon filter (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) is simpler and cheaper and handles chlorine and many organic compounds well, though carbon alone does not remove arsenic, nitrate, or most PFAS. NSF-certified pitchers rated for lead reduction are the easiest way to start today while you decide on a permanent setup.
We may earn a commission from testing kits and filters purchased through these links, at no extra cost to you.
What Kansas City residents measured at their own tap (ZIPs 66101, 66102, 66103, 66104 +8 more). All reader results →
Reader submissions are unverified and shown separately from EPA data. They reflect one tap on one day, not the utility's compliance record.
No reader results for Kansas City yet - yours would be the first. A hardness or TDS number from a $10 strip kit is enough to start the map.
Help build the first reader-sourced water map. Enter whatever your test strip, TDS pen or lab report shows - one number is enough.
Kansas City ranks #10 of 20 graded Kansas cities.
Deep-dive guides for the specific contaminants EPA data flagged in Kansas City's water, with removal options for each.
Yes — by EPA's records Kansas City, KS tap water is safe to drink and earns an A. The grade rests on lead at 7.5 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31) was 7.5 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
No. None of the 116 UCMR5 PFAS results for KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES (2024-01-02 to 2024-10-01) were at or above the reporting limit of roughly 3–5 ppt.
KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES has 14 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 2 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
KANSAS CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES reports groundwater under surface-water influence as its primary source and serves about 152,960 people (EPA PWSID KS2020906).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles lead and improves taste.
Lead was found at 7.5 ppb (90th percentile) in Kansas City's latest tap sampling — below the action level, but there is no safe level of lead.
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Filters rated for lead reduction
Waterdrop's lead collection — every filter here is selected for lead reduction, so you can compare options rated for this exact problem.
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Whole-house system — treats every tap at the source
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Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
Find the right filter for your Kansas City water quality needs:
Tap water is one piece of the picture — our sister sites cover the rest for Kansas City, KS.
Predicted indoor radon by ZIP vs. the EPA 4 pCi/L action level.
Arsenic and nitrate risk for homes on a well instead of city water.
Understand your water better with our in-depth guides on contaminants, filtration, and water safety.