Cape Girardeau, MO: 3 Health Violations — 72/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current monitoring, Cape Girardeau holds an above-average drinking water safety record for MO — violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.
How Cape Girardeau Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Cape Girardeau Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 24 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0036 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 67% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,433 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.07 — above typical levels.
Cape Girardeau's Water Providers
3 independent water providers serve Cape Girardeau, MO — 10 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 47,303 people.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cape Girardeau: B (72/100)
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
Cape Girardeau water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0036 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 3 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 16 | 3 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 3 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 4 | 3 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63701 | C | 8 | 1 | Cape Girardeau Public Water System |
| 63702 | B | 8 | 1 | Cape Girardeau Public Water System |
| 63703 | B | 8 | 1 | Cape Girardeau Public Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Cape Girardeau
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.
Cape Girardeau 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
What's in Cape Girardeau's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cape Girardeau Infrastructure Age
With 67% 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
Because the majority of Cape Girardeau's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1975 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau
Remediation costs in Cape Girardeau represent a moderate share of typical home values — worth budgeting for carefully, though within reach for most homeowners who plan ahead.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Cape Girardeau. The estimated $1,283–$3,967 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 19% above the Missouri average.
Cape Girardeau: 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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 67% pre-rule share in Cape Girardeau keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Cape Girardeau: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
FEMA data places 100% of Cape Girardeau's ZIP codes inside designated flood zones, and the NFIP claim record confirms the real-world impact: 905 filed claims representing decades of documented flood events with consequences for property and, at sufficient severity, for local water infrastructure.
Cape Girardeau has a significant flood history with 905 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $14,302 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,433</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cape Girardeau, MO