Liberal, MO Water Safety: 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Liberal tap water earns a high safety grade — above-average compliance with MO and federal standards.
How Liberal Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Liberal Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 72% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.52 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Liberal
Federal records list 2 water systems tied to Liberal, MO. Of those, 2 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Liberal, Missouri (population ~1,453), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 10,282 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Liberal — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Liberal: 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
Liberal water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Liberal
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64762 | B | Barton Dade Cedar Jasp Countycons Pwsd 1 | 9,523 |
All ZIP Codes in Liberal
- 64762 [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 Liberal
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 Liberal's Housing Stock?
With 72% 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
Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones — the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 — define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1966, Liberal falls squarely within the older range — meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Liberal 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.
Liberal: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Liberal lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Liberal are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 39% below the Missouri average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Liberal
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 72% of Liberal stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Liberal, MO