Overland Park – Kansas – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
WaterOne provides comprehensive water services to approximately 425,000 residents across Johnson County, including Overland Park, Kansas’ second-largest city. As an independent public water utility serving the region since 1957, WaterOne manages roughly 2,800 miles of water distribution lines, multiple treatment facilities, and advanced pumping stations that deliver an average of 120 million gallons of drinking water daily to the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.
WaterOne sources its drinking water primarily from the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, utilizing both surface water intakes and horizontal collector wells for enhanced supply security. The utility operates multiple treatment facilities including the state-of-the-art Wolcott Treatment Plant and the Kansas River Water Treatment Plant. WaterOne’s water consistently meets all federal and state quality standards, and the utility has earned recognition for producing some of the highest quality drinking water in the region. With Johnson County’s continued growth, WaterOne faces ongoing challenges with infrastructure modernization, water conservation, and emerging contaminants while maintaining its commitment to providing safe, reliable drinking water for future generations.
WaterOne Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Comprehensive Monitoring: WaterOne conducts over 120,000 water quality tests annually from approximately 18,000 samples collected throughout the distribution system, ensuring rigorous monitoring for more than 100 regulated and unregulated contaminants.
- PFAS Compliance: WaterOne meets or surpasses all regulatory standards for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and actively participates in EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule to advance the science of water quality.
- Regulatory Compliance: WaterOne’s water consistently meets all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining full compliance with EPA and Kansas Department of Health and Environment regulations while ranking among the region’s best for purity and taste.
Water Sources
- Kansas River: Primary surface water source providing approximately 60% of supply, with water drawn from the Kansas River and adjacent collector wells for natural filtration benefits.
- Missouri River: Secondary surface water source contributing approximately 20% of supply through horizontal collector wells located 16 miles away, ensuring supply security and redundancy.
- Federal Reservoir Partnership: WaterOne participates in the Kansas River Water Assurance District, providing access to stored water from Milford, Tuttle Creek, and Perry Lake reservoirs during drought conditions.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Wolcott Treatment Plant: State-of-the-art facility utilizing advanced membrane technology with recent upgrades including replacement of membrane modules, ensuring exceptional water quality and treatment efficiency.
- Kansas River Plant: Multi-barrier treatment approach incorporating coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection processes to remove contaminants and ensure safe drinking water.
- Corrosion Control: Advanced treatment protocols including pH optimization and corrosion inhibitors to prevent leaching of lead and copper from plumbing systems, maintaining water quality throughout distribution.
Infrastructure Modernization
- Distribution Network: Ongoing maintenance and replacement of approximately 2,800 miles of water mains, with strategic upgrades to aging infrastructure throughout Johnson County to maintain system reliability.
- Smart Monitoring Systems: Implementation of advanced real-time monitoring technologies throughout the distribution network to optimize water quality management and detect issues before they affect customers.
- Emergency Preparedness: Comprehensive emergency response protocols and redundant systems ensuring continued water service during infrastructure maintenance, weather events, or other operational challenges.
Customer Protection Initiatives
WaterOne provides extensive customer support through 24/7 emergency service, water quality testing assistance, and educational outreach programs. The utility offers high usage alerts to help customers avoid unexpected bills and participates in NotifyJoCo to keep residents informed about planned outages and emergencies. WaterOne’s commitment to transparency includes detailed annual water quality reports and proactive communication about seasonal water quality variations. The utility’s investments in cutting-edge treatment technology, source water protection, and emerging contaminant monitoring demonstrate its dedication to providing award-winning water quality while preparing for future challenges including population growth, drought management, and evolving regulatory requirements.
Recommendations for Overland Park Residents
Test Your Water
Contact WaterOne Customer Service at 913-895-1800 for water quality testing assistance or concerns. While comprehensive testing is conducted throughout the system, residents with specific concerns about their individual service can request additional guidance.
Conserve Water
Sign up for WaterOne’s high usage alerts at waterone.org to monitor your consumption and avoid unexpected bills. Practice water conservation through efficient irrigation, leak detection, and responsible water use during peak demand periods.
Consider Home Filtration
While WaterOne’s water meets all standards and ranks among the region’s best, homes with older plumbing may benefit from NSF-certified filters for additional peace of mind, particularly for taste and odor preferences or trace contaminant reduction.
Stay Informed with NotifyJoCo
Sign up for NotifyJoCo at notifyjoco.org to receive alerts about planned water outages, emergency repairs, and important updates affecting your neighborhood. This free service helps you stay prepared for any water service interruptions.
Report Issues
Contact WaterOne Customer Service at 913-895-1800 (available 24/7) for water main breaks, pressure problems, or quality concerns. Quick reporting helps maintain system integrity and ensures rapid response to issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WaterOne’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, WaterOne’s tap water meets or surpasses all federal and state drinking water standards. The utility sources water from the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, which undergo comprehensive multi-barrier treatment processes including advanced membrane technology.
WaterOne conducts over 120,000 water quality tests annually from approximately 18,000 samples to ensure water safety. The utility consistently ranks among the region’s best for purity, reliability, and taste. WaterOne’s commitment to water quality is demonstrated through continuous monitoring, transparent reporting, and proactive testing for emerging contaminants including PFAS.
Why does my water sometimes taste or smell different?
Seasonal taste and odor changes can occur due to natural factors:
1. Seasonal cycling: Warmer weather and rainfall can cause “turnover” in source waters, bringing up naturally occurring organic compounds from river sediments
2. Algae blooms: Natural seasonal algae growth in source waters can temporarily affect taste and odor, though water remains safe
3. Temperature variations: Spring and fall temperature changes can cause natural variations in source water quality
WaterOne monitors these seasonal variations and confirms water safety during any taste or odor events. If concerns persist, contact WaterOne Customer Service at 913-895-1800 for assistance.
Does WaterOne test for PFAS and emerging contaminants?
Yes, WaterOne actively monitors for PFAS and emerging contaminants:
• PFAS compliance: WaterOne meets or surpasses all regulatory standards for PFAS and participates in EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule
• Proactive testing: The utility conducts testing beyond regulatory requirements to advance the science of water quality and stay ahead of emerging issues
• Regional advantages: WaterOne’s source waters are not in areas heavily impacted by industrial PFAS contamination sources prevalent in other regions
• Treatment capability: Advanced treatment processes provide multiple barriers against contaminants, including emerging substances
WaterOne’s commitment to ongoing vigilance ensures the utility is prepared to address new contaminants as regulatory standards evolve.
What should I do during a water outage or emergency?
WaterOne provides multiple ways to stay informed and get help during outages:
Stay Informed:
• Sign up for NotifyJoCo at notifyjoco.org for free emergency alerts and planned outage notifications
• Visit waterone.org/projects for updates on planned infrastructure work
• Follow @MyWaterOne on social media for real-time updates
Report Issues:
• Call 913-895-1800 (available 24/7) for emergency repairs or water main breaks
• WaterOne crews work around the clock to restore service as quickly and safely as possible
During freezing weather, take precautions to prevent frozen pipes by trickling faucets and protecting outdoor spigots.
Contaminants of Concern
PFAS Compounds
Source: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from industrial processes, firefighting foams, and consumer products; less prevalent in Kansas compared to other regions with heavy industrial activity
Health Effects: Potential concerns include impacts on immune system, thyroid function, cholesterol levels, and possible links to certain cancers with prolonged exposure
Current Status: WaterOne meets or surpasses all regulatory standards for PFAS and participates in EPA monitoring programs to advance scientific understanding EPA Limits: New federal regulations finalized in 2024 with compliance required by 2029
Seasonal Water Quality Variations
Source: Natural organic compounds from Kansas and Missouri River systems, particularly during seasonal temperature changes and weather events that affect source water
Health Effects: Generally not health-related; primarily affects taste and odor characteristics but does not pose safety concerns when properly treated
Current Management: WaterOne monitors seasonal variations and employs advanced treatment processes to minimize impacts while maintaining water safety Response Protocol: Utility provides proactive communication during seasonal events and verifies safety through enhanced testing
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