Columbia, MO: 11 Violations — 81/100 (2026)
11 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Columbia hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in MO with few health-based violations on file.
How Columbia Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Columbia, MO
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Columbia's 11 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Columbia Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 11 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0021 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $964 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.34.
Columbia's Water Providers
Columbia, MO draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 9 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 11 ZIP codes in Columbia, Missouri, covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 157,464 people.
11 of 11 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Columbia: B (81/100)
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
Columbia water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0021 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): 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 11 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65201 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Columbia Utilities |
| 65202 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Columbia Utilities |
| 65203 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Columbia Utilities |
| 65205 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Columbia Utilities |
| 65211 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Columbia Utilities |
| 65212 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Columbia Utilities |
| 65215 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Columbia Utilities |
| 65216 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Columbia Utilities |
| 65217 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Columbia Utilities |
| 65218 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Columbia Utilities |
All ZIP Codes in Columbia
- 65201 [B] — 1 violation
- 65202 [B] — 1 violation
- 65203 [B] — 1 violation
- 65205 [B] — 1 violation
- 65211 [B] — 1 violation
- 65212 [B] — 1 violation
- 65215 [B] — 1 violation
- 65216 [B] — 1 violation
- 65217 [B] — 1 violation
- 65218 [B] — 1 violation
- 65299 [B] — 1 violation
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.
Columbia 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 Columbia's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Columbia
Setting Columbia remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Columbia are relatively low compared to home values. The $364–$1,645 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% above the Missouri average.
Columbia: 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.
Lead risk in Columbia appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Columbia: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood activity in Columbia is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 153-claim record and 27% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Columbia has a moderate flood history with 153 FEMA claims averaging $17,001 per payout. 27% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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>$964</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 Columbia, MO