Oak Ridge, MO Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to MO averages, Oak Ridge scores below the baseline — health violations appear more frequently than the norm and the city's grade reflects that ongoing shortfall.
How Oak Ridge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Oak Ridge Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.07 — above typical levels.
Oak Ridge's Water Providers
2 water utilities share the residential service territory in Oak Ridge, MO — out of 2 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Oak Ridge, Missouri (population ~1,388), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 11,045 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Oak Ridge — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Oak Ridge: D (53/100)
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
Oak Ridge water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Oak Ridge
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63769 | D | CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY PWSD 2 | 2,500 |
All ZIP Codes in Oak Ridge
- 63769 [D]
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.
Oak Ridge 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
Oak Ridge Infrastructure Age
With 50% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Oak Ridge sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1984 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Oak Ridge 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Oak Ridge
Low proportionality — that's the Oak Ridge picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Oak Ridge are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 9% above the Missouri average.
Oak Ridge: 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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 50% of Oak Ridge stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Oak Ridge
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 50% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Oak Ridge, MO