Well water in Reno County, Kansas
In Reno County, none of 37 tested well samples exceeded the EPA limit for lead, based on public data from USGS Water Quality Portal and Kansas Geological Survey groundwater quality samples.
37 individual samples from 30 wells, 1950 to 2018. Data refreshed September 9, 2026.
These are KGS and groundwater management district sampling wells, not a survey of homeowners' wells.
What individual samples found
Each row summarizes every public sample for that contaminant inside Reno County. Above limit means above the EPA maximum contaminant level; where EPA has no enforceable limit, the row shows a health guideline or nuisance level instead.
| Contaminant | Samples | Detected | Above limit | Median | Highest | Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead 1977 to 2018 | 37 | 38% | 0% | 0 | 10 | 15 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Radium (226 + 228) 1981 to 2018 | 11 | 91% | 0% | 0 | 0.64 | 5 pCi/L EPA limit |
Sampled fewer than 10 times, too few to summarize: Uranium (5), Nitrate (5), Fluoride (3), Arsenic (1), Copper (1), E. coli (1), Radon (5), Chloride (3), Manganese (3), Iron (2), Sodium (1).
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What this means
Among contaminants with a federal limit, no tested sample in Reno County came back above it. That is reassuring, but sampling is uneven: wells that were never tested are not in this data.
Chloride, Manganese, and Iron are widespread in local groundwater. They are mainly a staining and taste problem, but high manganese also carries a health advisory for infants.
What to test for in Reno County
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)267 leaking underground storage tank sites on record locally.
- Metals panel5 hazardous waste sites on record locally.
- Coliform bacteriaRecommended for every private well, every year.
- RadonMedian local reading is 300 pCi/L.
- FluorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
- CopperDetected in 100% of local samples.
- ChlorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
- IronDetected in 100% of local samples.
- NitrateRecommended for every private well, especially near farms or septic systems.
Contamination sources on record in Reno County
KDHE records 267 leaking underground storage tank sites and 5 hazardous waste sites in Reno County, among 410 regulated sites in total. Groundwater does not follow property lines, so a well within a few hundred feet of one of these is worth testing for what that site could release.
- 267
- leaking underground storage tank sitesGasoline and heating oil that leaked from tanks move through groundwater as benzene, MTBE and other volatile organic compounds.
- 5
- hazardous waste sitesSolvents, degreasers and metals from industrial sites can travel far in fractured bedrock.
- 115
- other remediation projects
- 23
- other solid waste facilities
Treatment that fits the local profile
- Fluoride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Activated alumina; Distillation
- Copper
- Neutralizing filter to raise pH; Point-of-use reverse osmosis
- Chloride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Distillation
- Manganese
- Oxidizing filter (greensand, birm) whole-house; Water softener (low levels); Point-of-use reverse osmosis
- Iron
- Oxidizing filter whole-house; Water softener (low levels); Aeration plus filtration
Get your Reno County water tested at home
A licensed local water treatment company tests your tap water in your home, walks you through the numbers, and quotes treatment only if something needs fixing. Free, about 30 minutes, no obligation. Tell us what you need and we match you with a company that serves Reno County.
Common questions
Is there arsenic in well water in Reno County?
Arsenic was detected in 100% of 1 public well samples in Reno County, and 0% were above the EPA limit of 10 ug/L. Arsenic has no taste or smell; a lab test is the only way to know your level.
How high is radon in well water in Reno County?
The median radon level across 5 public samples in Reno County was 300 pCi/L, with a high of 350 pCi/L. New Hampshire recommends treatment above 2,000 pCi/L.
How often should I test a private well in Reno County?
Test for bacteria and nitrate every year. Test once for arsenic, uranium, radon, fluoride, manganese and PFAS, then again every three to five years or after any change in taste, color, or plumbing.
Sources
- USGS Water Quality Portal: 76 samples in Reno County. Data from the Water Quality Portal, a service of USGS, EPA and USDA; groundwater samples collected by USGS and cooperators. Retrieved September 3, 2026.
- Kansas Geological Survey groundwater quality samples: 2 samples in Reno County. Groundwater quality samples from the Kansas Geological Survey and Groundwater Management District 2, joined to WWC5 well records. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
- KDHE regulated sites: 410 regulated sites located in Reno County. Identified contaminated sites, leaking underground storage tank facilities and solid waste facilities from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
Non-detects count as samples and are treated as zero when computing medians. Exactly at the limit counts as not above it. A sample belongs to the town containing the well's reported coordinates.