Saint Louis, MO Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
68 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent EPA cycles, Saint Louis shows a persistent below-average water quality pattern within MO — documented violations span multiple service areas and have appeared consistently across reporting periods.
How Saint Louis Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Saint Louis, MO
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Saint Louis's 68 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Saint Louis Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 84% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,603 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.99 — above typical levels.
Saint Louis's Water Providers
Across Saint Louis, MO, residential water comes from 3 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 4 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 68 ZIP codes in Saint Louis, Missouri, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 891,907 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Louis — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint Louis: 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
Saint Louis water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Saint Louis
- 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): 68 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63101 | C | FRONTIER ESTATES | 120 |
| 63102 | C | FRONTIER ESTATES | 120 |
| 63103 | C | FRONTIER ESTATES | 120 |
| 63104 | C | FRONTIER ESTATES | 120 |
| 63105 | C | Mo American St Louis St Charles Counties | 1,111,000 |
| 63106 | C | FRONTIER ESTATES | 120 |
| 63107 | C | FRONTIER ESTATES | 120 |
| 63108 | C | FRONTIER ESTATES | 120 |
| 63109 | C | Mo American St Louis St Charles Counties | 1,111,000 |
| 63110 | C | FRONTIER ESTATES | 120 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint Louis
- 63101 [C]
- 63102 [C]
- 63103 [C]
- 63104 [C]
- 63105 [C]
- 63106 [C]
- 63107 [C]
- 63108 [C]
- 63109 [C]
- 63110 [C]
- 63111 [D]
- 63112 [C]
- 63113 [C]
- 63114 [D]
- 63115 [C]
- 63116 [D]
- 63117 [C]
- 63118 [C]
- 63119 [D]
- 63120 [C]
- 63121 [D]
- 63122 [D]
- 63123 [D]
- 63124 [D]
- 63125 [D]
- 63126 [D]
- 63127 [D]
- 63128 [D]
- 63129 [D]
- 63130 [D]
- 63131 [D]
- 63132 [D]
- 63133 [D]
- 63134 [C]
- 63135 [D]
- 63136 [D]
- 63137 [D]
- 63138 [D]
- 63139 [C]
- 63140 [C]
- 63141 [D]
- 63143 [D]
- 63144 [D]
- 63145 [C]
- 63146 [D]
- 63147 [C]
- 63150 [D]
- 63151 [D]
- 63155 [D]
- 63156 [D]
- 63157 [C]
- 63158 [D]
- 63160 [D]
- 63163 [D]
- 63164 [D]
- 63166 [C]
- 63167 [D]
- 63169 [D]
- 63171 [D]
- 63177 [C]
- 63178 [D]
- 63179 [D]
- 63180 [D]
- 63182 [D]
- 63188 [D]
- 63195 [D]
- 63197 [D]
- 63199 [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.
Saint Louis 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 Louis Infrastructure Age
With 84% 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 median home in Saint Louis was built in 1942 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Saint Louis 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 Louis
Because property values in Saint Louis comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Saint Louis are relatively low compared to home values. The $791–$2,607 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 20% above the Missouri average.
Saint Louis: 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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Saint Louis have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 84% 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.
Saint Louis: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Saint Louis carries a substantial flood exposure profile — 7129 claims filed over the program's long tracking window and 71% of ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. For water quality, that exposure level means flooding has likely stressed local treatment and distribution infrastructure on multiple occasions, creating periodic windows of elevated contamination risk.
Saint Louis has a significant flood history with 7,129 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $16,083 per claim. With 71% 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>$1,603</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 Louis
- 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 84% 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 Louis, MO