Missouri Water Quality Report 2026
Missouri tap water is use filtration based on our analysis of 7 water systems serving 2,409,008 residents. The average PurityMap score is 76.9/100 (Grade: C), which is 1.0 points below the national average.
- PFAS detected in 1 of 7 cities (14%). Forever chemicals require reverse osmosis filtration.
- 1 cities have lead at or above 5 ppb. Homes built before 1986 are at highest risk.
- 6 cities (86%) have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG) which causes scale buildup and appliance damage.
- 7 cities use chloramine or have elevated chlorine residuals. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove chloramine.
We recommend an under-sink reverse osmosis system for drinking water in PFAS-affected areas of Missouri. RO removes 99%+ of PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. For hard water cities, add a whole-house softener.
Hard
Missouri is 1.0 points below the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 1.9 GPG above the US average of 6.3 GPG.
Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.
| Rank | City | Score | Hardness | Lead | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | 64/100 | 7.5 GPG | 5.5 ppb | PFAS (2.7 ppt), Hard (7.5 GPG), Lead (5.5 ppb) |
| 2 | Kansas City | 78/100 | 9.6 GPG | 3.2 ppb | Hard (9.6 GPG) |
| 3 | Lee's Summit | 78/100 | 9.6 GPG | 3.0 ppb | Hard (9.6 GPG) |
| 4 | Independence | 78/100 | 9.0 GPG | 3.5 ppb | Hard (9.0 GPG) |
| 5 | O'Fallon | 79/100 | 7.5 GPG | 3.0 ppb | Hard (7.5 GPG) |
| 6 | Columbia | 79/100 | 8.5 GPG | 3.0 ppb | Hard (8.5 GPG) |
| 7 | Springfield | 82/100 | 5.8 GPG | 2.8 ppb | Hardness 5.8 GPG, Lead 2.8 ppb, TDS 200 ppm |
How Missouri's 7 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:
Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.
| City | Population | Score | Hardness | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 1.3M | 64/100 | 7.5 GPG | PFAS, Hard, Lead |
| Kansas City | 500K | 78/100 | 9.6 GPG | Hard |
| Springfield | 167K | 82/100 | 5.8 GPG | — |
| Columbia | 126K | 79/100 | 8.5 GPG | Hard |
| Independence | 123K | 78/100 | 9.0 GPG | Hard |
| Lee's Summit | 101K | 78/100 | 9.6 GPG | Hard |
| O'Fallon | 91K | 79/100 | 7.5 GPG | Hard |
6 of 7 cities (86%) in Missouri have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG). Kansas City has the hardest at 9.6 GPG. Cities: Kansas City, Lee's Summit, Independence, Columbia, St. Louis, O'Fallon. A water softener is recommended.
PFAS have been detected in 1 of 7 cities (14%) in Missouri. Highest: St. Louis at 2.7 ppt. Affected: St. Louis. A reverse osmosis filter is recommended.
1 cities in Missouri have lead at or above 5 ppb. Highest: St. Louis at 5.5 ppb. No safe level of lead exists. Cities: St. Louis.
Where Missouri gets its drinking water, based on 7 water systems.
| Source Type | Cities | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Water | 6 | 86% |
| Mixed (Ground + Surface) | 1 | 14% |
Missouri has both PFAS (1 cities) and hard water (6 cities). RO for drinking water + softener for whole house.
| # | City | Pop. | Score | Hardness | Lead | PFAS | TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | 1.3M | 64/100 | 7.5 GPG (Hard) | 5.5 ppb | ⚠️ Yes (2.7 ppt) | 265 ppm |
| 2 | Kansas City | 500K | 78/100 | 9.6 GPG (Hard) | 3.2 ppb | ✅ No | 335 ppm |
| 3 | Lee's Summit | 101K | 78/100 | 9.6 GPG (Hard) | 3.0 ppb | ✅ No | 335 ppm |
| 4 | Independence | 123K | 78/100 | 9.0 GPG (Hard) | 3.5 ppb | ✅ No | 315 ppm |
| 5 | O'Fallon | 91K | 79/100 | 7.5 GPG (Hard) | 3.0 ppb | ✅ No | 265 ppm |
| 6 | Columbia | 126K | 79/100 | 8.5 GPG (Hard) | 3.0 ppb | ✅ No | 295 ppm |
| 7 | Springfield | 167K | 82/100 | 5.8 GPG (Moderate) | 2.8 ppb | ✅ No | 200 ppm |
Missouri has 6 utilities. Major: Kansas City Water Services, Missouri American Water, City Utilities of Springfield, City of Columbia Water and Light, City of Independence Water.
Sources: Missouri River, Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, Lake Springfield and Fellows Lake, Perche Creek and Missouri River, Little Blue River and Missouri River.
- EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
- EWG Tap Water Database
- State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
- USGS regional water monitoring data
PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.
7 city water quality reports available for Missouri.
Independence Water Quality Report
Kansas City Water Quality Report
Lee's Summit Water Quality Report
O'Fallon Water Quality Report
Springfield Water Quality Report
St. Louis Water Quality Report
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