Cape Girardeau Public Water System
EPA ID: MO4010136 · 39,941 people served · 3 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Cape Girardeau Public Water System (MO4010136): 1 past health-based violation, since resolved. Records for Cape Girardeau Public Water System show 6 violations over the monitored period, with every finding addressed and officially closed - the provider, which serves approximately 39,941 people, carries no outstanding enforcement actions in the current EPA dataset and meets all applicable drinking water requirements.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Cape Girardeau Public Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Service Area Demographics
The Cape Girardeau Public Water System serves a community with a median household income of $67,904 and an estimated 53,458 residents across its service area. Approximately 67% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Cape Girardeau Public Water System's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Cape Girardeau Public Water System compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Contaminant 0700 at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 4 detections recorded.
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Missouri
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Cape Girardeau Public Water System (EPA ID: MO4010136) is a community water system in Missouri that serves approximately 39,941 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 5 resolved, 1 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | Resolved |
| February 21, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Non-health-based | Archived |
| April 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 4 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.00357 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by MO or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Cape Girardeau Public Water System (MO4010136) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Girardeau Public Water System water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Cape Girardeau Public Water System; its 6 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Cape Girardeau Public Water System serve?
Cape Girardeau Public Water System serves approximately 39,941 people across 3 ZIP codes in Missouri.
Where does Cape Girardeau Public Water System get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Cape Girardeau Public Water System (MO): 1 Health Violation. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/mo4010136/
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author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Cape Girardeau Public Water System (MO): 1 Health Violation}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/mo4010136/}
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What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Cape Girardeau Public Water System (EPA ID: MO4010136) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.