Memphis, MO: 26 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Memphis Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 26 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0025 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 76% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.98 - above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Memphis
Across Memphis, MO, residential water comes from 2 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently - managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 2 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Memphis, Missouri (population ~3,193), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 5,182 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 5 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Memphis water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0025 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 6 | 1 |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63555 | — | 26 | 5 | Memphis Public Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Memphis
- 63555 - 26 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Memphis
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Memphis
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Memphis's Housing Stock?
With 76% 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
The character of Memphis's housing stock is one of deep historical layering - a median build year of 1962 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Memphis 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.
Memphis: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Looking at how documented remediation costs fit within Memphis property values, the equity share lands in the moderate tier - a finding that positions the household financial perspective between routine maintenance and a significant budget commitment, where most homeowners can successfully address documented issues by treating the expense as a planned financial priority rather than an unexpected one.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Memphis. The estimated $600–$3,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 19% below the Missouri average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Memphis
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Memphis have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 76% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Memphis, MO