Home / Tap Water Quality / Kansas / Lawrence
Lawrence, KS · 136,272 people served · EPA data 2021–2026

Tap water quality in Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence's water systems logged zero health-based EPA violations in 2021–2026 — water that met every federal health standard on record. Day-to-day quality still varies with pipes and plumbing, but the municipal record here is clean.

C+Fair
Lawrence water grade: C+
Fair — our A–F grade from this city's EPA compliance record, relative to Kansas and the nation. How we grade →
Health-based violations, 2021–20260
Federal health standardsall met
Lawrence, City Of95,256 served
University Of Kansas35,000 served
Douglas Co Rwd 52,500 served
Jefferson Co Rwd 132,115 served
Kansas quality rank#48 / 51 (76.1/100)
Kansas avg hardness250 PPM (very hard)
Want to know what's actually in your Lawrence water?

Averages describe states, not your faucet. A certified home water test screens for lead, nitrates, bacteria and dozens of other contaminants — the same categories EPA regulates.

Test your water at home

We may earn a commission if you request quotes through this link. It costs you nothing and never affects the data we publish.

Lawrence tap water FAQ

Is tap water safe to drink in Lawrence?

Lawrence's community water systems reported no health-based EPA violations in 2021–2026, meaning the water met federal health standards throughout. Home plumbing (especially pre-1986 lead solder or service lines) can still affect what reaches your glass — a home test settles it.

Who supplies Lawrence's water?

Lawrence, City Of (serving about 95,256 people); University Of Kansas (serving about 35,000 people); Douglas Co Rwd 5 (serving about 2,500 people); Jefferson Co Rwd 13 (serving about 2,115 people). Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, July 2026.

How hard is the water in Lawrence?

City-level hardness isn't published in a single federal dataset, but Kansas averages 250 PPM — "very hard" on the USGS scale. Your utility's water quality report lists Lawrence's exact hardness, or a $10 test strip tells you in a minute. If it comes back over 120 PPM, see our water softener guidance in the purification calculator.

Do I need a water filter in Lawrence?

The municipal record is clean, so filtering in Lawrence is about taste, hardness and your own plumbing rather than compliance. A carbon filter fixes chlorine taste; test first if your home predates 1986 (lead solder era).

Want to know what's actually in your Lawrence water?

Averages describe states, not your faucet. A certified home water test screens for lead, nitrates, bacteria and dozens of other contaminants — the same categories EPA regulates.

Test your water at home

We may earn a commission if you request quotes through this link. It costs you nothing and never affects the data we publish.