Benton City, MO Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Systems across Benton City show elevated violation counts against MO benchmarks — the low safety grade reflects that ongoing compliance pattern.
How Benton City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Benton City Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 64% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.56 — above typical levels.
Benton City's Water Providers
Across Benton City, MO, residential water comes from 2 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 2 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Benton City, Missouri (population ~269), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 7,236 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Benton City — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Benton City: D (53/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Benton City water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Benton City
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65232 | D | Monroe County Pwsd 2 | 6,677 |
All ZIP Codes in Benton City
- 65232 [D]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Benton City Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Benton City Infrastructure Age
With 64% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The median home in Benton City was built in 1974 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Benton City were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Benton City
For most homeowners in Benton City, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Benton City are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 14% below the Missouri average.
Benton City: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Benton City have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 64% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Benton City
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 64% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Benton City, MO