Joplin, MO: 8 Health Violations — 76/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 11 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to statewide averages in MO, Joplin scores well — health violations are below the norm and systems generally operate within federal standards.
How Joplin Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Joplin Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 24 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,550 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.59 — above typical levels.
Joplin's Water Providers
In Joplin, MO, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 11 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 4 ZIP codes in Joplin, Missouri (population ~73,393), covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 135,415 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 8 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Joplin: B (76/100)
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
Joplin water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 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): 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 15 | 4 |
| Contaminant 1009 | Other | 10 | 4 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64801 | B | 6 | 2 | Mo American Joplin |
| 64802 | B | 6 | 2 | Mo American Joplin |
| 64803 | B | 6 | 2 | Mo American Joplin |
| 64804 | B | 6 | 2 | Mo American Joplin |
All ZIP Codes in Joplin
- 64801 [B] — 6 violations ⚠
- 64802 [B] — 6 violations ⚠
- 64803 [B] — 6 violations ⚠
- 64804 [B] — 6 violations ⚠
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.
Joplin 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 Joplin's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Joplin
Across the Joplin housing market, the estimated remediation share lands in a middle tier — not a minor footnote, but not a prohibitive burden either; the cost-to-value ratio reflects a moderate equity commitment, one that sits above routine maintenance territory and warrants a dedicated line in the household budget.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Joplin. The estimated $1,650–$3,625 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 0% above the Missouri average.
Joplin: 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 Joplin 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.
Joplin: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood activity in Joplin is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 139-claim record and 75% 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.
Joplin has a moderate flood history with 139 FEMA claims averaging $18,573 per payout. 75% 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>$2,550</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 Joplin, MO