Water Hardness in Kansas
Across 220 measured cities — with 124 more covered by labeled county-level estimates — Kansas's median tap water hardness is 258.0 mg/L (15.1 gpg): very hard on the USGS scale. Below: every covered city, the state's hardest and softest water, and the geology that explains it.
Data updated July 6, 2026. Sources: utility-reported water quality data and USGS/EPA Water Quality Portal samples.
State Median
258.0
mg/L (15.1 gpg), measured cities
Measured Range
67.0-1000.0
mg/L across measured cities
Measured Cities
220
utility-reported or computed values
County Estimates
124
36% of covered cities
Kansas Cities by Hardness Category
Measured cities only — labeled county estimates never enter the category counts or the median.
| Category | Range | Measured cities | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft | 0-60 mg/L | 0 | 0.0% |
| Moderately hard | 60-120 mg/L | 11 | 5.0% |
| Hard | 120-180 mg/L | 59 | 26.8% |
| Very hard | >180 mg/L | 150 | 68.2% |
Hardest and Softest Water in Kansas
Measured values only; labeled county estimates and values under active dispute never rank.
Hardest water in Kansas
Every Covered City in Kansas
All 344 covered Kansas cities, sorted by population served. "County estimate" rows are labeled context values from USGS/EPA Water Quality Portal county sampling — they never enter the median above. City names link to each city's full water quality page.
| City | Hardness (mg/L) | gpg | Category | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Quivira | 176.3 | 10.3 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Olathe | 140.4 | 8.2 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Gardner | 135.4 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Spring Hill | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| De Soto | 134.9 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Edwardsville | 140.0 | 8.2 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Fairway | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Leawood | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Lenexa | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Merriam | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Mission | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Mission Hills | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Mission Woods | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Overland Park | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Prairie Village | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Roeland Park | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Shawnee | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Westwood | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Westwood Hills | 135.0 | 7.9 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Park City | 138.0 | 8.1 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Wichita | 138.0 | 8.1 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Kansas City | 303.0 | 17.7 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Topeka | 144.8 | 8.5 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Lawrence | 141.6 | 8.3 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Manhattan | 103.1 | 6.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Leavenworth | 128.0 | 7.5 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Garden City | 374.7 | 21.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| South Hutchinson | 270.0 | 15.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Fort Riley | 140.0 | 8.2 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Derby | 133.0 | 7.8 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Emporia | 76.1 | 4.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Pittsburg | 130.9 | 7.7 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Hays | 170.6 | 10.0 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| El Dorado | 117.0 | 6.8 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Liberal | 233.9 | 13.7 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Junction City | 168.0 | 9.8 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Ottawa | 144.3 | 8.4 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Arkansas City | 206.1 | 12.1 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Great Bend | 394.9 | 23.1 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Atchison | 294.2 | 17.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Winfield | 136.0 | 8.0 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Augusta | 120.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Paola | 133.0 | 7.8 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Mcpherson | 363.0 | 21.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Lansing | 230.0 | 13.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Mulvane | 127.8 | 7.5 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| McConnell AFB | 133.0 | 7.8 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Parsons | 129.0 | 7.5 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Rose Hill | 133.0 | 7.8 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Haysville | 225.0 | 13.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Bonner Springs | 416.0 | 24.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Coffeyville | 179.7 | 10.5 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Mulberry | 156.7 | 9.2 | Hard | Computed from Ca+Mg |
| Wamego | 124.5 | 7.3 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Valley Center | 133.0 | 7.8 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Hillsdale | 133.0 | 7.8 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Louisburg | 133.0 | 7.8 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Towanda | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Osawatomie | 198.0 | 11.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Edgerton | 220.0 | 12.9 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Basehor | 230.0 | 13.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Nortonville | 304.7 | 17.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Louisville | 127.0 | 7.4 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Saint George | 127.0 | 7.4 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| St. George | 127.0 | 7.4 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Mayetta | 288.0 | 16.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Frontenac | 285.6 | 16.7 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Tonganoxie | 215.0 | 12.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| McLouth | 260.9 | 15.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Ulysses | 323.0 | 18.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Auburn | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Benton | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Tecumseh | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Beloit | 121.0 | 7.1 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Baxter Springs | 190.7 | 11.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Ellsworth | 236.8 | 13.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Larned | 498.0 | 29.1 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Andover | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Garnett | 128.0 | 7.5 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Clearwater | 235.7 | 13.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Lecompton | 156.0 | 9.1 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Berryton | 156.0 | 9.1 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Desoto | 125.0 | 7.3 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Whitewater | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Overbrook | 133.6 | 7.8 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Holton | 288.0 | 16.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Effingham | 313.7 | 18.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Lindsborg | 280.0 | 16.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Hiawatha | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Peabody | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Lancaster | 330.0 | 19.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Easton | 271.0 | 15.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Hugoton | 294.0 | 17.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Scott City | 381.0 | 22.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Huron | 330.0 | 19.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Winchester | 271.0 | 15.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Lyons | 341.0 | 19.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Altamont | 140.0 | 8.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| Hesston | 223.0 | 13.0 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Columbus | 202.1 | 11.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Moundridge | 253.5 | 14.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Elbing | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Walton | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Rantoul | 242.2 | 14.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Riverton | 252.4 | 14.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Kingman | 173.0 | 10.1 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Holyrood | 346.2 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Baldwin City | 190.0 | 11.1 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Eudora | 190.0 | 11.1 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Newton | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Arma | 175.0 | 10.2 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Seneca | 310.0 | 18.1 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Independence | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Lorraine | 333.9 | 19.5 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Norton | 320.0 | 18.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Grandview Plaza | 403.0 | 23.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Galena | 210.0 | 12.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Kechi | 242.0 | 14.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Hoisington | 320.0 | 18.7 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Leon | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Fontana | 150.0 | 8.8 | Hard | County estimate |
| Beverly | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Brookville | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Bunker Hill | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Dorrance | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Gorham | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Lincoln Center | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Lucas | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Luray | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Paradise | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Russell | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Sylvan Grove | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Tescott | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Waldo | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Wilson | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Goddard | 268.0 | 15.7 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Halstead | 119.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Hoyt | 310.0 | 18.1 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Parkerfield | 373.0 | 21.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Caney | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Havana | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Niotaze | 190.0 | 11.1 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Tyro | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Jewell | 330.0 | 19.3 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Greeley | 105.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Lane | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Herington | 240.0 | 14.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Marysville | 276.4 | 16.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Sterling | 402.0 | 23.5 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Meriden | 328.0 | 19.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Eureka | 230.0 | 13.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Williamsburg | 180.0 | 10.5 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Oskaloosa | 381.0 | 22.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Phillipsburg | 450.0 | 26.3 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Neodesha | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Galesburg | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Burlingame | 210.0 | 12.3 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Harveyville | 290.0 | 17.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Horton | 280.0 | 16.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Holcomb | 751.0 | 43.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Cimarron | 290.0 | 17.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Cheney | 130.0 | 7.6 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Simpson | 513.0 | 30.0 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Randall | 330.0 | 19.3 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Mound City | 160.0 | 9.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Westphalia | 105.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Fredonia | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Erie | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Colony | 105.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Kincaid | 105.0 | 6.1 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Barnard | 535.0 | 31.3 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Glasco | 355.0 | 20.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Anthony | 240.0 | 14.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Oakley | 1000.0 | 58.5 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Belleville | 300.0 | 17.5 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Burden | 250.0 | 14.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Cambridge | 250.0 | 14.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Dexter | 250.0 | 14.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Ellinwood | 401.0 | 23.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Pleasanton | 160.0 | 9.4 | Hard | County estimate |
| Goessel | 263.7 | 15.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Minneapolis | 370.0 | 21.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Girard | 318.0 | 18.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Marion | 585.0 | 34.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| West Mineral | 180.0 | 10.5 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Elkhart | 270.0 | 15.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Humboldt | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| North Newton | 249.0 | 14.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Solomon | 370.0 | 21.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Wakeeney | 610.0 | 35.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Hanover | 324.0 | 18.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Piqua | 94.5 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Yates Center | 94.5 | 5.5 | Moderately hard | County estimate |
| Plainville | 520.0 | 30.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Medicine Lodge | 500.0 | 29.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Ogden | 546.0 | 31.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Oswego | 140.0 | 8.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| Oberlin | 420.0 | 24.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Sedgwick | 230.0 | 13.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Allen | 240.0 | 14.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Americus | 240.0 | 14.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Beattie | 234.0 | 13.7 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Smith Center | 555.0 | 32.5 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Douglass | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Galva | 638.0 | 37.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Meade | 182.0 | 10.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Brownell | 273.0 | 16.0 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Ellis | 273.0 | 16.0 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Scammon | 230.0 | 13.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Weir | 230.0 | 13.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Cassoday | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Rosalia | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Belle Plaine | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Colwich | 242.0 | 14.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Troy | 230.0 | 13.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Wathena | 230.0 | 13.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Potwin | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Fairview | 513.0 | 30.0 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Leoti | 256.0 | 15.0 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Osage City | 210.0 | 12.3 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Conway Springs | 130.0 | 7.6 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Kinsley | 550.0 | 32.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Hill City | 235.0 | 13.7 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Alma | 111.0 | 6.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| McFarland | 111.0 | 6.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Paxico | 111.0 | 6.5 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Hillsboro | 250.0 | 14.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Lehigh | 250.0 | 14.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Olmitz | 243.0 | 14.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Stockton | 520.0 | 30.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Sublette | 214.0 | 12.5 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Little River | 310.0 | 18.1 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Carbondale | 119.0 | 7.0 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Johnson City | 253.0 | 14.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Osborne | 530.0 | 31.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Inman | 340.0 | 19.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Reading | 240.0 | 14.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Geuda Springs | 263.0 | 15.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Ness City | 470.0 | 27.5 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Onaga | 270.0 | 15.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Oketo | 251.8 | 14.7 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Atwood | 205.5 | 12.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Buhler | 270.0 | 15.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Elwood | 230.0 | 13.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Glen Elder | 374.4 | 21.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Hoxie | 180.0 | 10.5 | Hard | County estimate |
| Stark | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Richmond | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Lincoln | 535.0 | 31.3 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Bronson | 190.0 | 11.1 | Very hard | County estimate |
| South Haven | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Haven | 270.0 | 15.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Victoria | 308.0 | 18.0 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Burlington | 190.0 | 11.1 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Gridley | 190.0 | 11.1 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Belvue | 270.0 | 15.8 | Very hard | County estimate |
| La Crosse | 490.0 | 28.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Rossville | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Hollenberg | 324.0 | 18.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Washington | 324.0 | 18.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Liberty | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Alta Vista | 403.0 | 23.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Council Grove | 403.0 | 23.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Dunlap | 403.0 | 23.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Dwight | 403.0 | 23.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Parkerville | 403.0 | 23.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| White City | 403.0 | 23.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Valley Falls | 240.0 | 14.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Bartlett | 140.0 | 8.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| Edna | 140.0 | 8.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| Assaria | 311.1 | 18.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Nickerson | 347.0 | 20.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Satanta | 323.0 | 18.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Plains | 194.0 | 11.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Caldwell | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Sedan | 190.0 | 11.1 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Olpe | 240.0 | 14.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Everest | 67.0 | 3.9 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Neosho Rapids | 240.0 | 14.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Burr Oak | 298.0 | 17.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Esbon | 298.0 | 17.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Mankato | 298.0 | 17.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Webber | 298.0 | 17.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Dighton | 356.0 | 20.8 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Morrill | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Blue Rapids | 377.0 | 22.1 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Robinson | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Lyndon | 156.0 | 9.1 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Vassar | 156.0 | 9.1 | Hard | Utility-reported |
| Windom | 290.0 | 17.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Cawker City | 333.0 | 19.5 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Hunter | 333.0 | 19.5 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Tipton | 333.0 | 19.5 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Milford | 204.0 | 11.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Salina | 330.0 | 19.3 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Powhattan | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Mound Valley | 140.0 | 8.2 | Hard | County estimate |
| Sabetha | 310.0 | 18.1 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Frankfort | 286.0 | 16.7 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Hamlin | 513.0 | 30.0 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Silver Lake | 255.0 | 14.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Wellsville | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Waterville | 445.0 | 26.0 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Pretty Prairie | 96.5 | 5.6 | Moderately hard | Utility-reported |
| Olsburg | 370.0 | 21.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Westmoreland | 370.0 | 21.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Cherryvale | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Crestline | 241.0 | 14.1 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Linwood | 196.0 | 11.5 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Cherokee | 1.5 | 0.1 | Soft | County estimate |
| Macksville | 186.0 | 10.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Cunningham | 209.0 | 12.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Kanopolis | 272.0 | 15.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Denton | 230.0 | 13.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Norwich | 230.0 | 13.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Arlington | 210.0 | 12.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Concordia | 315.0 | 18.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Jamestown | 315.0 | 18.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Chase | 333.0 | 19.5 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Lewis | 262.0 | 15.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Rolla | 359.0 | 21.0 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Dearing | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Kismet | 267.0 | 15.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Princeton | 170.0 | 9.9 | Hard | County estimate |
| Udall | 250.0 | 14.6 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Murdock | 230.0 | 13.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Moscow | 224.0 | 13.1 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Healy | 343.0 | 20.1 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Copeland | 235.0 | 13.7 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Geneseo | 479.0 | 28.0 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Harper | 240.0 | 14.0 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Bushton | 328.0 | 19.2 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Pawnee Rock | 245.0 | 14.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Schoenchen | 400.0 | 23.4 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Albert | 420.0 | 24.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Oxford | 260.0 | 15.2 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Belpre | 233.0 | 13.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Rozel | 695.0 | 40.6 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Raymond | 213.0 | 12.5 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Chapman | 1000.0 | 58.5 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Falun | 545.0 | 31.9 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Zenda | 228.0 | 13.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
| Spivey | 230.0 | 13.4 | Very hard | County estimate |
| Timken | 569.0 | 33.3 | Very hard | Utility-reported |
Above 120 mg/L (7 gpg), scale is usually worth treating — see our water softener guide, or size a system with the hardness calculator & converter.
The Geology Behind Kansas's Water Hardness
Kansas sits in the Great Plains and interior lowlands region.
The Great Plains and interior lowlands are underlain by carbonate rock, gypsum, and other evaporite deposits, and the semi-arid climate concentrates dissolved minerals rather than flushing them out. Aquifers like the High Plains (Ogallala) yield water the USGS classifies as hard to very hard across most of the region, from the Dakotas down through Texas. Surface-water systems fed by plains rivers carry much of the same mineral load.
Source: USGS - High Plains aquifer
Kansas Water Hardness FAQ
Does Kansas have hard water?
Yes — across Kansas's measured cities, typical tap water is hard. The median is 258.0 mg/L (15.1 gpg) — very hard on the USGS scale, where anything above 120 mg/L (7 gpg) counts as hard. 209 of Kansas's 220 measured cities fall in the hard or very hard bands (95%), so check your own city rather than the state average.
How hard is tap water in Kansas?
Across the 220 Kansas cities with measured values in our index, the median hardness is 258.0 mg/L (15.1 gpg) — very hard on the USGS scale. Individual cities range from 67.0 to 1000.0 mg/L, so check your own city rather than assuming the state number.
Which city in Kansas has the hardest water?
Chapman has the hardest measured tap water in our Kansas index at 1000.0 mg/L (58.5 gpg) — very hard on the USGS scale. Rankings use measured utility values only; labeled county estimates and values under active dispute are excluded.
Do I need a water softener in Kansas?
209 of Kansas's 220 measured cities (95%) fall in the hard or very hard bands — above 120 mg/L (7 gpg), the level where most water treatment professionals suggest considering an ion-exchange softener. Hardness varies utility to utility, so look up your own city's value before sizing equipment.
How do I find my city's exact water hardness?
Enter your ZIP code in our free lookup at tapwaterdata.com/zip to see the value we hold for your Kansas city from utility-reported water quality data, check your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), or use a home test-strip kit.
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