Community Water System · PWS KS2004513
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas 66047 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 35,000 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.
- 35,000
- People served
- 28
- EPA violations
- 11
- Health-based
- 1 PFAS
- UCMR5 result
The verdict
EPA records 28 drinking-water violations at University of Kansas, 39% of them health-based - below the Kansas per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound.
- 28
- Total EPA violations on record
- 39%
- Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
- 35,000
- People served by this system
- 1
- PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)
Water Quality Snapshot: University of Kansas
University of Kansas is a state-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 35,000 residents in Lawrence, Kansas (Douglas County) through 220 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 28 total violations for this system , of which 11 (39%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 4 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2025.
The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 11 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 1 PFAS compound was detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 6 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.
Across Kansas, EPA tracks 957 public water systems serving 2,894,673 people, with 84,344 cumulative violations and 33,424 health-based violations on record. About 99% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 88.1 violations. Statewide, 89 of 103 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (86.4%).
University of Kansas's 28 violations sit below the Kansas average.
All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.
1 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.
System Details
- System Type
- Community
- Owner Type
- State
- Connections
- 220
- County
- Douglas
- School/Daycare
- Yes
- MCL Violations
- 11
- Monitoring Violations
- 4
- Treatment Tech Violations
- 0
Violation History
Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.
| Contaminant | Category | Count | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coliform (TCR) | MCL | 11 | 2007 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Other | 7 | 2007 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | RPT | 4 | 2025 |
| Coliform (TCR) | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| Public Notice | Other | 2 | 2007 |
PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)
Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 1 of 116 samples detected PFAS.
| Contaminant | Date | Result | MRL | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFHxA | 9/2/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 9/2/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBA | 9/2/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 9/2/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 9/2/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 9/2/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpA | 9/2/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 9/2/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeS | 9/2/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| ADONA | 9/2/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 9/2/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 9/2/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 9/2/2025 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 6:2 FTS | 9/2/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 9/2/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMPA | 9/2/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 9/2/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 9/2/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 9/2/2025 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 9/2/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDA | 9/2/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 9/2/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 9/2/2025 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 9/2/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 9/2/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 7/29/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 7/29/2025 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 7/29/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeS | 7/29/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 7/29/2025 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 7/29/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 7/29/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 7/29/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMPA | 7/29/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 7/29/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBA | 7/29/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 7/29/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 7/29/2025 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 7/29/2025 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 7/29/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 7/29/2025 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxA | 7/29/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 7/29/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDA | 7/29/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 7/29/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 7/29/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 7/29/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 7/29/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpA | 7/29/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 7/29/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
Verify This Water System
The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for University of Kansas.
EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:
View PWS ID KS2004513 on SDWISSource: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search
Kansas Drinking Water Authority
Kansas's primacy agency administers the Safe Drinking Water Act locally. Search EPA SDWIS for the current state contact, or use the state's public health or environment department portal.
Find KS regulator via EPA SDWISViolation Timeline
Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.
| Year (latest) | Contaminant | Category | Count | EPA Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | RPT | 4 | SDWIS / KS2004513 / 5200 |
| 2007 | Coliform (TCR) | MCL | 11 | SDWIS / KS2004513 / 3100 |
| 2007 | Consumer Confidence Rule | Other | 7 | SDWIS / KS2004513 / 7000 |
| 2007 | Public Notice | Other | 2 | SDWIS / KS2004513 / 7500 |
| 2003 | Coliform (TCR) | MR | 4 | SDWIS / KS2004513 / 3100 |
How University of Kansas Compares
Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.
| Metric | University of Kansas | Kansas avg | Federal benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total violations | 28 | 88.1 | SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach |
| Health-based violations | 11 | 34.9 | Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL |
| PFAS detection | 1 compound | 86.4% | EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt |
| Population served | 35,000 | 3,025 | Sizing context for compliance burden |
Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 957 regulated public water systems in Kansas.
Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
| Contaminant | Federal MCL / Action Level | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) | Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique |
| Arsenic | 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) | Health-based MCL since 2006 |
| Total Coliform | Treatment technique (RTCR) | Indicator organism, monitoring trigger |
| PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) | 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) | Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026) |
| Nitrate (as N) | 10 mg/L | Acute health risk for infants |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Kansas water safe to drink? ▼
How many people does University of Kansas serve? ▼
What type of violations does University of Kansas have? ▼
Has PFAS been detected in University of Kansas water? ▼
What water source does University of Kansas use? ▼
Where does this data come from? ▼
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.