Gower, MO: High Radon Risk — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Gower, EPA monitoring data shows low violation rates and healthy safety margins — a pattern that places the city well above MO's average for drinking water compliance across recent reporting cycles.
How Gower Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Gower Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0021 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 58% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.36 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Gower
In Gower, MO, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 6 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Gower, Missouri (population ~2,586), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 19,988 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Gower — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gower: B (70/100)
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
Gower 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 1 (High 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64454 | B | DEKALB COUNTY PWSD 1 | 7,635 |
All ZIP Codes in Gower
- 64454 [B]
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.
CDC Health Data for Gower
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
How Old Is Gower's Housing Stock?
With 58% 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
Reading the housing age data for Gower — median build year 1972 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Gower 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.
Gower: Remediation Cost in Perspective
While Gower homeowners face a manageable path to remediation, the equity share sits in the moderate tier — a signal that proactive budgeting matters more here than in lower-ratio markets.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Gower. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 35% above the Missouri average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Gower
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 58% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Gower.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Gower
Over the multi-decade span captured by FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, Gower has accumulated a relatively small number of flood claims. That history points to a community where flood exposure is present but contained — and where the pathways by which flooding can affect water quality (overwhelmed treatment plants, contaminated private wells, distribution backflow) remain low-probability events rather than recurring concerns.
Gower has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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>$2,400</strong> remediation cost per household.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Gower, MO