Is Kansas tap water hard or soft?
Yes, mostly. 76 % of the 17 cities with published data in Kansas have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L). The median is 8.4 gpg, from 4.4 gpg in Emporia to 35.3 gpg in Dodge City.
We have published hardness data for 17 cities in Kansas. The median is 8.4 gpg; the hardest water is in Dodge City (35.3 gpg), the softest in Emporia (4.4 gpg).
76 % of these cities have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L).
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Cities in Kansas, hardest first
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge City | 35.3 | 605 | very hard |
| Great Bend | 22.5 | 385 | very hard |
| Atchison | 16.4 | 280 | very hard |
| Kansas City | 16.4 | 280 | very hard |
| Haysville | 12.3 | 210 | very hard |
| Olathe | 10.5 | 180 | very hard |
| Topeka | 9 | 154 | hard |
| Bel Aire | 8.8 | 150 | hard |
| Leawood | 8.4 | 144 | hard |
| Lenexa | 7.9 | 135 | hard |
| Merriam | 7.9 | 135 | hard |
| Overland Park | 7.9 | 135 | hard |
| Winfield | 7 | 120 | hard |
| Parsons | 5.8 | 100 | moderately hard |
| Manhattan | 5.7 | 97 | moderately hard |
| Arkansas City | 5.3 | 90 | moderately hard |
| Emporia | 4.4 | 76 | moderately hard |
FAQ
Is Kansas water hard or soft?
Yes, mostly. 76 % of the 17 cities we cover have hard or very hard water; the median is 8.4 gpg.
Which city in Kansas has the hardest water?
Dodge City, at 35.3 gpg, has the hardest water of the 17 cities with published data.
Which city in Kansas has the softest water?
Emporia, at 4.4 gpg, has the softest water of the 17 cities with published data.
Do I need a water softener in Kansas?
Above about 120 mg/L (7 gpg) scale builds up in water heaters, kettles and dishwashers, and a softener or at least regular descaling pays off. Look up your own city in the table: in Kansas the values range from 4.4 gpg to 35.3 gpg.
On a private well? Well water hardness in Kansas by county →