If you’ve ever wondered, “Is there lead in Wichita’s water?” - you’re not alone. With rising concerns about drinking water quality nationwide, and even some recently brought up locally, homeowners and renters alike want answers that are clear, local, and reliable.

In this post, we break down what you need to know about lead in Wichita water and what you can do to protect your family’s health.

Where Does Water in Wichita Come From?

Wichita’s drinking water primarily comes from Cheney Reservoir and the Equus Bed Aquifer. This water is treated and tested before it enters your tap, but water quality can still change as it travels through pipes, especially in older homes.

Is There Lead in Wichita Water Right Now?

The short answer:
Wichita’s treated water generally meets federal and state standards for lead levels.
However, trace amounts of lead can still be found in some home plumbing systems.

Here’s why: city water is regulated and tested regularly, but lead isn’t usually introduced at the treatment plant. Instead, it can enter drinking water from corroded household plumbing or service lines that contain lead.

As recently as 2024, the City of Wichita’s inventory of water service lines found 16 lead pipes and 5,958 galvanized pipes that required replacement to meet federal standards. They’re required to provide a replacement plan to the EPA in 2027. You can search what service line material the city has recorded by address here. 

Why Lead Can Be in Your Tap Water

Lead doesn’t come from the water source itself, it comes from pipes and fixtures. Common sources include:

  • Old lead service lines

  • Brass or chrome-plated fixtures installed before 1986

  • Solder used on copper pipes in older homes

When water sits in these pipes for long periods, lead can dissolve into your tap water. The City of Wichita is in the process of replacing all lead/galvanized pipes on city utility side, but says ultimately Wichita property owners are responsible for service lines on the private property side. They recommend you reach out to a licensed plumber to determine what your water service line material is made of.

Is Wichita’s Water Safe to Drink?

For most people, yes, Wichita’s public water supply is safe to drink. But if your home has older plumbing or lead service lines, the risk of lead contamination increases.

Tips to reduce lead exposure at home:

How Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Can Help

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Wichita, we understand that water quality isn’t just about what comes from the treatment plant, it’s about what comes out of your faucet.

Lead Pipe & Fixture Inspections
We can inspect your plumbing for old or lead-containing components.

Safe Replacement Options
If your home has lead service lines or fixtures, we can replace them with safer materials.

Water Quality Guidance
We’ll help you understand your water test results and what steps make sense for your family.

Water Treatment Services

If you’re worried about what’s in your water, you’re not alone. We offer point of tap and whole-home water filtration solutions from Brita PRO®, the only brand to offer a system proven to remove 99.7% of all water borne lead. 

Serving Wichita, Kansas and surrounding communities - trust Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Wichita to keep your water safe from source to sink.