Worst Infrastructure: Missouri — 2026 Rankings

Out of 1,086 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Missouri, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	1,086
Highest risk	62%
Median risk	37%
Average risk	37%
State	Missouri

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	63653	Leadwood	MO	62%	Very High	58/100
2	65409	Rolla	MO	61%	Very High	82/100
3	63353	Louisiana	MO	56%	High	56/100
4	63746	Farrar	MO	56%	High	83/100
5	63934	Clubb	MO	56%	High	53/100
6	65436	Beulah	MO	56%	High	63/100
7	65715	Noble	MO	56%	High	53/100
8	65728	Ponce De Leon	MO	56%	High	63/100
9	65654	Freistatt	MO	55%	High	78/100
10	63703	Cape Girardeau	MO	54%	High	72/100
11	64428	Burlington Junction	MO	54%	High	61/100
12	64772	Nevada	MO	54%	High	74/100
13	64780	Rockville	MO	54%	High	82/100
14	65320	Arrow Rock	MO	54%	High	77/100
15	63118	Saint Louis	MO	53%	High	55/100
16	63824	Blodgett	MO	53%	High	86/100
17	64053	Independence	MO	53%	High	65/100
18	64066	Levasy	MO	53%	High	65/100
19	64463	King City	MO	53%	High	61/100
20	65349	Slater	MO	53%	High	81/100
21	63115	Saint Louis	MO	52%	High	63/100
22	63401	Hannibal	MO	52%	High	59/100
23	63555	Memphis	MO	52%	High	69/100
24	63882	Wyatt	MO	52%	High	94/100
25	64113	Kansas City	MO	52%	High	65/100
26	65330	Gilliam	MO	52%	High	80/100
27	65566	Viburnum	MO	52%	High	65/100
28	63109	Saint Louis	MO	51%	High	55/100
29	63111	Saint Louis	MO	51%	High	50/100
30	63113	Saint Louis	MO	51%	High	63/100
31	63116	Saint Louis	MO	51%	High	50/100
32	63336	Clarksville	MO	51%	High	65/100
33	63456	Monroe City	MO	51%	High	58/100
34	63862	Lilbourn	MO	51%	High	79/100
35	64449	Fillmore	MO	51%	High	69/100
36	64642	Gilman City	MO	51%	High	79/100
37	63107	Saint Louis	MO	50%	High	55/100
38	63139	Saint Louis	MO	50%	High	55/100
39	63345	Farber	MO	50%	High	78/100
40	63352	Laddonia	MO	50%	High	81/100
41	63767	Morley	MO	50%	High	89/100
42	63846	Essex	MO	50%	High	92/100
43	63874	Risco	MO	50%	High	94/100
44	63950	Lodi	MO	50%	High	63/100
45	64036	Henrietta	MO	50%	High	71/100
46	64123	Kansas City	MO	50%	High	70/100
47	64124	Kansas City	MO	50%	High	70/100
48	64420	Allendale	MO	50%	High	53/100
49	64469	Maysville	MO	50%	High	72/100
50	64722	Amoret	MO	50%	High	71/100
51	65322	Blackwater	MO	50%	High	77/100
52	65327	Emma	MO	50%	High	78/100
53	65340	Marshall	MO	50%	High	79/100
54	65586	Wesco	MO	50%	High	53/100
55	63019	Crystal City	MO	49%	High	65/100
56	63120	Saint Louis	MO	49%	High	55/100
57	63443	Hunnewell	MO	49%	High	68/100
58	63543	Gorin	MO	49%	High	53/100
59	63601	Park Hills	MO	49%	High	66/100
60	63870	Parma	MO	49%	High	92/100
61	64020	Concordia	MO	49%	High	78/100
62	64461	Hopkins	MO	49%	High	65/100
63	64624	Braymer	MO	49%	High	78/100
64	64661	Mercer	MO	49%	High	69/100
65	64679	Spickard	MO	49%	High	82/100
66	65001	Argyle	MO	49%	High	81/100
67	65041	Hermann	MO	49%	High	57/100
68	65237	Bunceton	MO	49%	High	83/100
69	65564	Solo	MO	49%	High	63/100
70	63130	Saint Louis	MO	48%	High	40/100
71	63143	Saint Louis	MO	48%	High	50/100
72	63147	Saint Louis	MO	48%	High	55/100
73	63447	La Belle	MO	48%	High	64/100
74	63537	Edina	MO	48%	High	71/100
75	63545	Green City	MO	48%	High	82/100
76	63650	Ironton	MO	48%	High	48/100
77	63701	Cape Girardeau	MO	48%	High	67/100
78	63851	Hayti	MO	48%	High	82/100
79	63860	Kewanee	MO	48%	High	96/100
80	64054	Independence	MO	48%	High	65/100
81	64110	Kansas City	MO	48%	High	65/100
82	64451	Forest City	MO	48%	High	64/100
83	64475	Parnell	MO	48%	High	66/100
84	64483	Rosendale	MO	48%	High	63/100
85	64501	Saint Joseph	MO	48%	High	45/100
86	64623	Bosworth	MO	48%	High	82/100
87	64745	Foster	MO	48%	High	82/100
88	65254	Glasgow	MO	48%	High	82/100
89	65344	Miami	MO	48%	High	83/100
90	65806	Springfield	MO	48%	High	70/100
91	63104	Saint Louis	MO	47%	High	63/100
92	63110	Saint Louis	MO	47%	High	63/100
93	63114	Saint Louis	MO	47%	High	45/100
94	63117	Saint Louis	MO	47%	High	55/100
95	63377	Silex	MO	47%	High	48/100
96	63472	Wayland	MO	47%	High	79/100
97	63501	Kirksville	MO	47%	High	76/100
98	63565	Unionville	MO	47%	High	81/100
99	63566	Winigan	MO	47%	High	53/100
100	63663	Pilot Knob	MO	47%	High	69/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.