Saint Joseph, MO: High Radon Risk — 44/100 (2026)
8 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Saint Joseph, EPA data shows a below-average compliance pattern for MO — health-based violations are on file in several areas, and checking the specific system serving your address is a practical first step for concerned residents.
How Saint Joseph Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Saint Joseph, MO
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Saint Joseph's 8 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Saint Joseph Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 79% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,563 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.89 — above typical levels.
Saint Joseph's Water Providers
Saint Joseph, MO draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 7 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 8 ZIP codes in Saint Joseph, Missouri, covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 82,702 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Joseph — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint Joseph: D (44/100)
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 Joseph water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Saint Joseph
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 8 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64501 | D | ANDREW COUNTY PWSD 2 | 3,580 |
| 64502 | D | ANDREW COUNTY PWSD 2 | 3,580 |
| 64503 | D | EASTON PWS | 250 |
| 64504 | D | BUCHANAN COUNTY PWSD 1 | 2,115 |
| 64505 | D | ANDREW COUNTY PWSD 1 | 6,042 |
| 64506 | D | Andrew County Pwsd 1 | 6,042 |
| 64507 | D | DEKALB COUNTY PWSD 1 | 7,635 |
| 64508 | D | EASTON PWS | 250 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint Joseph
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.
Saint Joseph 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
Saint Joseph Infrastructure Age
With 79% 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 1951 mean for water safety in Saint Joseph? 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 Saint Joseph 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 Saint Joseph
The Saint Joseph equity share sits above the low tier but short of the range where remediation becomes a heavy financial burden — the cost-to-value ratio is moderate, and deliberate planning is the key practical lever for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Saint Joseph. The estimated $1,725–$3,525 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 24% below the Missouri average.
Saint Joseph: 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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 79% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Saint Joseph.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Saint Joseph: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Saint Joseph accumulating 291 claims and carrying 88% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Saint Joseph has a moderate flood history with 291 FEMA claims averaging $25,381 per payout. 88% 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>$2,563</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 Joseph
- 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 79% 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 Joseph, MO