In Longford, KS, a population of 73, sits one of the purest naturally occurring waters in the area and beyond. Filtered by sandstone and fueled by the Kiowa and Dakota aquifers, “Longford water” has had a reputation for decades, known for its smooth, sweet taste.
It was turned into a business in 2004 when the café owner, Wava Kramer, had a customer from Wichita tell her the water tasted so good, she should bottle and sell it. It wasn’t the first time that sentiment had been said. For years the town won water-quality competitions at the Kansas State Fair. Meanwhile, a historic Longford town sign read, “For Good Health and Longevity Drink Longford Water, Kansas Purest.”
Soon Wava, with husband, Kim, and two other locals, began researching the idea of a bottled water company and held a grand opening in 2005.
Initially, the Longford Water Company produced Kiowata – a portmanteau of Kiowa and Dakota – in one-serving bottles. Later it was expanded to new services by the next generation of owners, Brad and Catherine Girton, who took over in 2016.

“We don’t do anything to the water that’s just how it comes out. It’s just pure and it’s always known for having a good taste,” said Brad. “That’s the beauty of the whole thing and that’s why it’s in the small town of Longford.”
It comes directly from the city’s well, however, their location has a bigger line.
“We’re just using regular City, Longford water,” he said. “I’m a little biased, of course. It’s something that a lot of people don’t think about, they say water is water. But I think it’s the best-tasting water out there. A lot of the locals will say it’s got a sweet taste.”
While the exact reason behind the clear water and great taste is unknown, Girton said it’s likely due to the hilly silt, sandstone, lignite, and clay rock formations, which allow for heavy filtering from Mother Nature herself.

“Most towns do reverse osmosis and add chemicals,” he said. “We’re one of the few where it’s just all natural.” The only “treating” he said is a charcoal filter, which helps remove chlorine. Added by the city due to an FDA requirement, Longford Water Co. takes the chemical back out, he said. They also test the water regularly, whose PH levels remain remarkably steady; it’s naturally alkaline with a pH above 7, which is often promoted for health benefits.
Since purchasing the water brand, the Girtons have taken Kiowata – Longford Water’s in-house brand – to new levels. Started in 2004 by a group of town locals, the company has sold bottled water for more than 20 years.
Their bread and butter comes from private-label options. Companies of all sizes order flats of water with their custom-designed logo on every bottle.
Girton says the brand delivers across the state, dipping into surrounding states’ borders, too. They have even had orders for as far away from New Mexico, where a local bank heard about the great-tasting water in Kansas from a sister branch.
In 2018 the Girtons purchased a new bottling line to increase Kiowata production. On average they put out around 10,000 bottles of water per day; in the summer, that number jumps to 16,000, he said.
Then in 2022 they expanded again, offering three and five-gallon delivery options for businesses who have a water cooler. Combined, the services have brought them to eight employees: four full-time and four who are part-time.

Another facet of the company is providing high-quality water to the Smoky Valley Distillery out of Marquette, KS, west of Lindsborg. Owners Stan and Michele Von Strohe said water taste and chemical make-up was on their minds from day one. The pair started the distillery as their “encore career” after years of research and interest in locally manufactured liquors.
“We had to find a really good water source to make good spirits and it’s the best you can get,” he said. Every other week, Von Strohe picks up 250 to 500 gallons of Kiowata for distilling.
“It blends great with the spirits and tastes great,” he said. “It makes all the difference and is the key to what we do.”
Smoky Valley produces flavors of vodka, whiskey, and bourbon, all of which are made from Longford Water. Local favorites include wild plum vodka and Kernza Whiskey, a blend made with local perennial wheat.
Kiowata can be ordered from the Longford Water Company or purchased at local convenience stores. Smoky Valley spirits can be found at The Liquor Store in Clay Center, as well as locations in Concordia, Salina, and Minneapolis.