Blackburn, MO Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to MO averages, Blackburn scores below the baseline — health violations appear more frequently than the norm and the city's grade reflects that ongoing shortfall.
How Blackburn Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Blackburn Water
- Homes built before 1986: 77% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.69 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Blackburn
Federal drinking water records identify 3 systems in Blackburn, MO. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Blackburn, Missouri (population ~316), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 8,792 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Blackburn — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Blackburn: 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
Blackburn water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Blackburn
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65321 | D | LAF JO SALINE COUNTY CONS PWSD 2 | 7,180 |
All ZIP Codes in Blackburn
- 65321 [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.
Health Outcomes in Blackburn
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Blackburn
With 77% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Blackburn, the median build year of 1965 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Blackburn 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Blackburn Homeowners
Placing remediation in the context of Blackburn's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Blackburn are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$1,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 47% below the Missouri average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Blackburn
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 77% of the Blackburn inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Blackburn
- 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 77% 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 Blackburn, MO