Latest Testing Results

• Lead and Copper Levels: Wichita’s water meets all federal and state standards for lead and copper. The city maintains strict control of pH and hardness parameters to prevent pipe corrosion. Private lead service lines may still exist in homes built before 1986 — use Wichita’s Service Line Inventory Tool at wichita.gov/leadmap to check your address.
• Testing Scope: Wichita conducts extensive water quality tests throughout the system, monitoring for over 100 contaminants as required by federal and state regulations. Results are published annually in the Consumer Confidence Report.
• Compliance Status: Wichita’s water meets all federal and state drinking water standards set by the EPA and Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Independent testing by the Environmental Working Group identifies 14 contaminants exceeding their health-based guidelines, including arsenic and disinfection byproducts. Visit our water alert news section for the latest national water quality developments.

Diverse Water Sources

• Cheney Reservoir: Surface water from this reservoir provides approximately 60–70% of Wichita’s water supply during normal conditions. Following severe drought conditions in 2023–2024, Cheney Reservoir has fully recovered — as of early 2026 the conservation pool stands at 100% capacity, 0.8 feet above the normal waterline. City of Wichita
• Equus Beds Aquifer: This groundwater source provides approximately 30–40% of supply. The city also operates an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) programme to capture and store excess water during wet periods, improving long-term resilience.
• Source Protection: Wichita implements watershed protection measures around Cheney Reservoir and aquifer protection strategies for the Equus Beds to safeguard source water quality upstream of treatment.

Treatment Technology

• Current Treatment Process: Wichita uses lime softening for water treatment: after blending source waters, lime and polymer are added to soften and settle out solids. The settled water is then filtered and disinfected with chloramines. The existing plant is 80+ years old but continues to operate safely.
• New Water Treatment Facility — Delayed to 2027: The $500 million Northwest Water Treatment Facility has faced repeated delays. Originally scheduled to open in spring 2025, a mechanical failure during testing in May 2025 pushed the target to December 2025. In November 2025, a structural design flaw was discovered in the clarifiers. As of January 2026, the city confirmed the plant is unlikely to be operational before the end of 2026 at the earliest — and likely not until 2027. All delay costs are the responsibility of Wichita Water Partners, not city ratepayers. KWCH
• Emergency Backup Plan: In January 2026 the city council voted to begin converting the existing plant into an emergency backup facility, activatable within 24–48 hours, to provide redundancy until the new plant is fully commissioned. KAKE

Drought Recovery and Water Conservation

• Drought Stage (2026): Wichita entered Stage 2 mandatory drought restrictions in August 2024 following critically low Cheney Reservoir levels. In September 2025, sustained rainfall allowed the city to recover to Stage 1. As of early 2026, Cheney Reservoir stands at 100% of its conservation pool — 0.8 feet above normal. City of Wichita
• Permanent Water Restrictions: In August 2025, following the drought declaration being lifted, Wichita City Council adopted permanent every-other-day outdoor watering restrictions — a recognition that Kansas droughts are a recurring challenge requiring lasting conservation habits rather than temporary measures.
• Water Rate Increase: In December 2025, the city council approved a 7.11% increase in water and sewer rates, reflecting the ongoing infrastructure investment required to deliver safe, reliable water to over 500,000 residents. KWCH
• Smart Water Management: The city employs advanced monitoring and management technologies including flow sensors and data analytics to optimise distribution efficiency and detect leaks early.

Community Support and Resources

Wichita’s water utility maintains strict control of pH, hardness, and other parameters to prevent corrosion in the distribution system. The city publishes annual Water Quality Reports (Consumer Confidence Reports) with detailed contaminant data. Wichita offers rebate programmes for water-efficient fixtures and appliances — visit savewichitawater.com for details. Residents concerned about lead or other contaminants can contact Public Works & Utilities at (316) 268-8351. For filter recommendations suited to Wichita’s water profile, see our water filter solutions guide, and monitor our national water quality tool for updates.