Marceline, MO Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Residents of Marceline generally live with tap water that beats the MO safety average on key EPA compliance metrics.
How Marceline Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Marceline Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0045 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 73% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.01 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Marceline
In Marceline, MO, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 3 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 Marceline, Missouri (population ~3,112), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 18,993 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Marceline — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Marceline: B (83/100)
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
Marceline water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0045 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64658 | B | Marceline Public Water System | 2,200 |
All ZIP Codes in Marceline
- 64658 [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 Marceline
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 Marceline's Housing Stock?
With 73% 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
What does a median build year of 1978 mean for water safety in Marceline? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Marceline 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.
Marceline: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Framing remediation within the Marceline property picture, the equity share is elevated — homeowners here are navigating a financial decision that rewards structured thinking about scope and prioritization, where the cost-to-value ratio is high enough to make the difference between a planned approach and an unplanned one financially significant.
At 3.0% of home value, remediation costs in Marceline represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,100–$5,600. Home values here are 35% below the Missouri average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Marceline
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.
If 73% of the Marceline inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Marceline
FEMA data shows 100% of Marceline's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 2 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Marceline has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $92,851 per payout. 100% 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>$3,400</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 Marceline, MO