Kansas City – Missouri – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Kansas City Water Services operates a comprehensive municipal water system serving approximately 500,000 residents in Kansas City proper and over 175,000 additional customers in surrounding communities. Established in 1873, the system includes over 2,800 miles of water mains, three water treatment plants, and multiple storage facilities, delivering an average of 100 million gallons of water daily across the metropolitan area.
Kansas City draws its drinking water primarily from the Missouri River, with secondary sources from underground aquifers. The city implements extensive source water protection programs in cooperation with regional partners to maintain water quality despite the challenges of an agricultural watershed. Kansas City’s water consistently meets or exceeds federal and state quality standards, though the system faces ongoing infrastructure modernization needs. The utility has committed to substantial investments in water main replacement, treatment facility upgrades, and smart water management technologies over the next decade.
Kansas City Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead Levels: The most recent testing period (January-December 2023) showed 90th percentile lead levels of 5.1 parts per billion (ppb), well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, indicating effective corrosion control in the distribution system.
- Testing Scope: Kansas City conducts over 85,000 water quality tests annually, including comprehensive monitoring at over 150 sampling sites throughout the distribution network.
- Compliance Status: Kansas City’s water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards as regulated by the EPA and Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Water Sources & Quality
- Missouri River: Primary source (95% of supply) with water sourced upstream of the metropolitan area, providing reliable quantity despite seasonal quality fluctuations.
- Groundwater Wells: Secondary source (5% of supply) drawn from deep aquifers near the Missouri River, providing emergency backup and supplemental volume during peak demand.
- Source Water Protection: Regional watershed management partnership with agricultural stakeholders and upstream communities to reduce contaminant runoff and improve source water quality.
Treatment Technology
- Multi-Barrier Approach: Kansas City utilizes three treatment plants (Quindaro, Hawthorne, and Blue River) employing coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and advanced disinfection processes.
- Enhanced Treatment: Granular activated carbon filtration and UV disinfection provide additional protection against microbiological contaminants and improve taste and odor control.
- Corrosion Control: Optimized zinc orthophosphate treatment prevents metal leaching from pipes, with pH stabilization and alkalinity management adjusted seasonally based on river water quality.
Infrastructure Investments
- Main Replacement: Accelerated program targeting 1% of system annually (approximately 28 miles) with priority for areas with highest break frequency and oldest infrastructure.
- Lead Service Inventory: Comprehensive mapping initiative has documented approximately 85,000 service lines in the system, with 14,000 confirmed lead lines slated for replacement by 2035.
- Smart Water Network: Expansion of advanced metering infrastructure with real-time pressure and quality monitoring capabilities to improve system management and leak detection.
Community Programs
Kansas City Water Services offers comprehensive customer support including free water quality testing, a filter distribution program for vulnerable populations, and payment assistance for qualifying households. The city’s Lead Safe KC initiative provides subsidized service line replacement with prioritization for homes with children. Public education programs include school outreach, community workshops, and multilingual materials explaining water quality, conservation, and infrastructure improvements. Kansas City has committed to infrastructure equity by prioritizing improvements in historically underserved neighborhoods while maintaining transparent communication about system operations through an online dashboard and annual water quality reports. The combination of reliable Missouri River water sources, advanced treatment technology, and infrastructure investments ensures consistently high-quality water delivery throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Recommendations for Kansas City Residents
Free Water Testing
Request complimentary water quality testing by calling 311 or visiting kcwater.us/waterquality. Testing is particularly recommended for homes built before 1986 that may have lead-containing plumbing components.
Lead Safe KC Program
Apply for subsidized lead service line replacement through the Lead Safe KC program. Call (816) 513-0353 or visit kcwater.us/leadsafe to determine eligibility and begin the application process.
Use Certified Filters
If you have lead plumbing components, use NSF-certified filters (Standard 53) for drinking and cooking water. Low-income families with children under 6 may qualify for free filters through the KC Healthy Homes program.
Flush Your Plumbing
After water has been sitting unused for 6+ hours, run cold water for 2-3 minutes before using for drinking or cooking. Always use cold water for consumption, as hot water can contain higher levels of metals from your plumbing.
Report Concerns
Contact Kansas City’s 311 service for water main breaks, pressure issues, or quality concerns. For after-hours water emergencies, call the 24/7 water emergency line at (816) 513-0799.
Quality News About Your Water
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kansas City’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Kansas City’s tap water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards. The water is sourced primarily from the Missouri River and undergoes extensive treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection with both UV light and chloramines.
Recent testing shows 90th percentile lead levels at 5.1 ppb, well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The city maintains effective corrosion control using zinc orthophosphate to prevent metals from leaching from pipes. However, homes built before 1986 may have lead solder or components in their plumbing. Residents in older homes should consider testing their water and using certified filters as a precaution, particularly for households with pregnant women or young children.
How can I check for lead service lines in my home?
Kansas City maintains a service line inventory to help residents identify if they have lead pipes. To check your home:
1. Locate your water service line where it enters your home (typically in the basement or crawl space). Lead pipes have a dull gray color, feel soft enough to be scratched with a key, and won’t attract a magnet.
2. Call 311 to request service line verification from KC Water
3. Visit kcwater.us/leadmap to check the city’s service line database
The Lead Safe KC program offers subsidized replacement of lead service lines, with priority for homes with children. Homes built before 1955 are most likely to have lead service lines, particularly in northeast and midtown neighborhoods.
Why does my water sometimes taste or smell like chlorine?
Kansas City uses chloramines (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) as a disinfectant to maintain water safety throughout the distribution system. This can sometimes cause noticeable taste or odor, particularly when:
• Seasonal changes: During spring and summer when river water quality fluctuates, treatment adjustments may temporarily increase disinfectant levels
• Distance from treatment: Homes closer to treatment plants may notice stronger disinfectant taste
• System maintenance: After main repairs or during system flushing, temporary chlorine increases are normal
To improve taste:
• Refrigerate water in an open container for 24 hours to allow chlorine to dissipate
• Use a carbon filter certified for chloramine reduction
The chloramine levels are carefully monitored and maintained within safe limits established by the EPA.
Are there water restrictions in Kansas City?
Kansas City rarely implements mandatory water restrictions due to reliable Missouri River supplies, but does encourage conservation:
Year-Round Conservation Recommendations:
• Water lawns during early morning or evening hours
• Fix leaking fixtures and irrigation systems promptly
• Use drought-resistant landscaping where possible
• Install water-efficient appliances and fixtures
Drought Response:
During severe drought conditions, KC Water may implement a Water Shortage Response Plan with four stages:
• Stage 1: Voluntary conservation
• Stage 2: Mandatory odd/even lawn watering schedules
• Stage 3: Ban on non-essential water use
• Stage 4: Emergency water allocation
Current water status updates are available at kcwater.us or by calling 311.
Contaminants of Concern
Lead
Source: Lead service lines and older plumbing fixtures in homes built before 1986; Kansas City has approximately 14,000 confirmed lead service lines
Health Effects: Developmental delays in children, reduced IQ, learning difficulties, kidney problems, cardiovascular effects in adults
Current Levels: 90th percentile value of 5.1 ppb, well below EPA action level of 15 ppb EPA Limit: Action level 15 ppb, but no level of lead is considered safe
Agricultural Runoff
Source: Missouri River watershed contains extensive agricultural land, potentially contributing nitrates, pesticides, and herbicides during seasonal runoff events
Health Effects: Elevated nitrates can cause blue baby syndrome in infants; some pesticides linked to chronic health effects with long-term exposure
Current Status: Multi-barrier treatment process effectively removes agricultural contaminants; all monitored substances maintained well below EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels
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