Tap Water Quality Report
Tap water quality in TOPEKA, Kansas
Tap water in TOPEKA, Kansas receives a grade of F (58/100) from TapWaterSafety.org. It's served by TOPEKA, CITY OF. The most significant water quality concerns are: Arsenic significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline. Data sources: EPA SDWIS, EPA ECHO, EWG Tap Water Database.
What's in TOPEKA's tap water
Top water quality concerns identified by the EPA and Environmental Working Group across the utility serving TOPEKA.
Arsenic significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernArsenic detected at 5.84 ppb, 1460x above the EWG health guideline of 0.004 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 67.4 ppb, 1123x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 34.0 ppb, 340x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.
Recommended filters for TOPEKA
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in TOPEKA's water supply.
Reverse Osmosis
$249-$750Arsenic is most effectively removed by reverse osmosis. Some specialized adsorptive filters also work.
Carbon block (NSF/ANSI 42 + 53)
$40-$750Activated carbon is highly effective for disinfection byproducts like TTHM and HAA5.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
All contaminants detected in TOPEKA's tap water
Every contaminant identified, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal. Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic Heavy metal |
5.84 ppb | 0.004 | 10.0 | 10 | 10 | 0.004 | — | 1460× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
67.4 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 1123× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
34.0 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 340× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
45.6 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 304× over |
| Atrazine Pesticide/Herbicide |
0.569 ppb | 0.1 | 3.0 | 0.1 | 100 | 0.15 | — | Fails EU |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.104 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 5.2× over |
| Nitrate Inorganic |
0.33 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | 2.4× over |
| Vanadium Other |
3.45 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
78.6 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Aluminum Heavy metal |
53.8 ppb | 600.0 | — | 200 | — | 600 | — | Below guideline |
| Molybdenum Other |
3.49 ppb | 40.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Selenium Heavy metal |
1.7 ppb | 30.0 | 50.0 | 20 | 40 | 30 | — | Below guideline |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
3.5 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.44 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Chlorodifluoromethane Other |
0.0203 ppb | — | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.501 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Metolachlor Pesticide/Herbicide |
0.902 ppb | — | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines, California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
Treatment plant contact info
For service issues, water quality concerns, or to request a Consumer Confidence Report from TOPEKA, CITY OF.