Saint Charles, MO Water Safety: 46/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water compliance in Saint Charles, MO ranks below average — documented gaps in multiple service areas.
How Saint Charles Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Saint Charles Water
- Homes built before 1986: 48% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.99.
Who Supplies Your Water in Saint Charles
Saint Charles, MO is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 3 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Saint Charles, Missouri (population ~141,641), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 1,224,587 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Charles — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint Charles: D (46/100)
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
Saint Charles water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Saint Charles
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63301 | D | Mo American St Louis St Charles Counties | 1,111,000 |
| 63302 | D | MO AMERICAN MEXICO | 13,000 |
| 63303 | D | Mo American St Louis St Charles Counties | 1,111,000 |
| 63304 | D | Mo American St Louis St Charles Counties | 1,111,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint Charles
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.
Health Outcomes in Saint Charles
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Saint Charles
With 48% 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 a practical proxy for plumbing risk because federal standards changed in 1986, when lead solder was banned from new residential construction, and again earlier — before 1970, lead pipes were themselves commonly installed. Saint Charles's median build year of 1984 sits in the range where both pre- and post-1986 homes are well represented. The bar chart above reflects that mixed picture: the distribution captures pockets of older housing alongside more recent development, and those pockets carry real lead risk potential at the individual property level.
Most homes in Saint Charles were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Saint Charles Homeowners
For most homeowners in Saint Charles, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Saint Charles are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 72% above the Missouri average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Saint Charles
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.
When older housing represents 48% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Saint Charles address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Saint Charles
Flood exposure in Saint Charles is substantial — 5844 NFIP claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated zones. That volume of documented flood activity places water-quality implications of flooding firmly in the active-risk category rather than the hypothetical.
Saint Charles has a significant flood history with 5,844 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $12,055 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$1,600</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.
What You Can Do in Saint Charles
- 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 48% 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 Saint Charles, MO