WaterVerge

Is Billings, MO Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 11 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 3 water systems PWSID: MO5010071
Overall Score
87 / 100
Violations
11 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#178 of 509 in Missouri Top 28% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
87/100
waterverge.com
A- 87/100

Billings, MO — Water Quality Report

Billings's drinking water received a grade of A- (87 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,088 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 38 violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Billings's water

Billings ranks #178 out of 509 cities in Missouri for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Billings relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Billings may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
87 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
39/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
18/20
A
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Billings, MO water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Billings's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,088 residents using groundwater (wells).

11
Active Violations
1.2 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
4 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Billings

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Billings's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (87/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Public Notice.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4317). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3374). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Billings's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.2 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Billings's water system has 38 total violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

RPTMONOtherMCLMR
Most recent violations:
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Mar 2019 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Mar 2019 Public Notice Open
Oct 2018 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jan 2018 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Christian County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1993. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4317
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-3374
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3232

Where does Billings's water come from?

Billings's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 1,088 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Billings residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Billings's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Billings's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.2 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 8% of limit
Safe Level
Manganese
Inorganic
Detected
0.8 µg/L
EPA Secondary MCL: 50 µg/L · 2% of limit
DetectedUCMR 4 Data
Compliance Record

Violation summary

38
Total violations
11
Health-based
11
Active / unresolved
Oct 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

38 Total
11 Active
11 Health-based
27 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
23
Revised Total Coliform Rule
4
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
4
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
1
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Mar 2019 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2015 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
May 2015 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jan 2015 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Dec 2014 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2014 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Mar 2019 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Mar 2019
Oct 2018 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Oct 2018
Jan 2018 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Jan 2018
Dec 2016 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Dec 2016
Nov 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Nov 2015
Oct 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Oct 2015
Oct 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 2015
Aug 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2015
Jun 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2015
Showing 20 of 38 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Billings

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Billings, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
CONCRETE CO OF SPRINGFIELD- REPUBLIC
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · CRH AMERICAS INC
REPUBLIC, MO65738
3.1 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Billings

Superfund sites nearby

Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.

Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

4
Declared disasters
Jun 2017
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Christian County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1993. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Jun 2017
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4317
Jan 2016
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #3374
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3232
Jul 1993
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #995

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.2 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 5.0 ppb from 1993 (5.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,088
Water Systems
3
Water Source

Where Billings's water comes from

Groundwater

Billings's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,088 people through 3 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Billings

System Name PWSID Population Source
BILLINGS PWS MO5010071 1,035 GW
GOLD RIDGE NORTH MO5033098 28 GW
SOUTH PINE ESTATES MO5036382 25 GW
Regional Comparison

How Billings compares

Full Missouri rankings →

Billings's score of 87/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Missouri cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Billings (this city)
87
St. Louis
40.9
Columbia
61.4
Missouri avg
62
City Profile

About Billings, MO

Wikipedia →

Billings is a city in Christian County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2020 census, Billings had a population of 1,084. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri metropolitan area.

Economic Profile
$41,989
Median Income
$136,004
Median Home Value
$716/mo
Median Rent
3.1%
Unemployment
Community
49.6
Median Age
337
People / sq mi
14.7%
College Educated
67.9%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Billings, MO tap water safe to drink?

Billings's water quality earned a grade of A- (87/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #178 out of 509 cities tested in Missouri.

What contaminants are in Billings's water?

Lead was measured at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile). 38 violations are on record.

How is Billings's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Billings?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Billings's water come from?

Billings's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 1,088 residents.

What health violations has Billings's water system had?

Billings has 11 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 11 violations remain unresolved.

Is Billings's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Billings uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 38 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Billings's water compare to other cities?

Billings ranks #178 out of 509 cities in Missouri (better than 65% of state cities) and #4342 out of 15744 cities nationally (72th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.