WaterVerge

Is Blairstown, MO Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B-, with 12 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: MO1021175
Overall Score
74.4 / 100
Violations
12 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#369 of 509 in Missouri Top 63% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
74.4/100
waterverge.com
B- 74.4/100

Blairstown, MO — Water Quality Report

Blairstown's drinking water received a grade of B- (74.4 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,263 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 0.7 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 52 violations on record, including 34 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Blairstown's water

Blairstown ranks #369 out of 509 cities in Missouri for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
74.4 out of 100 Grade B-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
28.4/45
C
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.7 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Blairstown, MO water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Blairstown's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (74.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,263 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

12
Active Violations
0.7 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Blairstown

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Blairstown's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (74.4/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

2 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3232). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-995). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.7 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Blairstown's water system has 52 total violations on record, including 34 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MRMONMCLOther
Most recent violations:
Sep 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Sep 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Apr 2024 TTHM Resolved
Apr 2024 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jan 2020 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Henry County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1986. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include South Grand River At Urich, Big Creek Near Blairstown.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3232
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-995
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-779

Where does Blairstown's water come from?

Blairstown's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,263 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include South Grand River At Urich (river), Big Creek Near Blairstown (river).

What Blairstown residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Blairstown'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
0.7 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 5% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

52
Total violations
34
Health-based
12
Active / unresolved
Sep 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

52 Total
12 Active
34 Health-based
40 Resolved
4 SNC
Violations by category
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
14
Inorganic Chemicals
11
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
10
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
5
Lead and Copper Rule
4
Sep 2025 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2017 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2016 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2015 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Sep 2013 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2012 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2011 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Sep 2011 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Apr 2011 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Sep 2025 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Sep 2025
Apr 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2024
Apr 2024 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2024
Jan 2020 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2020
Jan 2020 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2020
Oct 2019 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved Dec 2019
Oct 2019 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2019
Jul 2019 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2019
Showing 20 of 52 violations
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

3
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Henry County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1986. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3232
Jul 1993
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #995
Oct 1986
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #779

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.7 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 8.8 ppb from 1993 (9.5 ppb) to 2025 (0.7 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,263
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Blairstown's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Blairstown's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,263 people through 2 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Blairstown

Blairstown is located near 2 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

South Grand River At Urich
river
Big Creek Near Blairstown
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Blairstown

System Name PWSID Population Source
HENRY COUNTY PWSD 4 MO1021175 1,140 SWP
BLAIRSTOWN PWS MO1010076 123 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Blairstown compares

Full Missouri rankings →

Blairstown's score of 74.4/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Missouri cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.

Blairstown (this city)
74.4
St. Louis
40.9
Columbia
61.4
Missouri avg
62
City Profile

About Blairstown, MO

Wikipedia →

Urich is a city in Henry County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2020 census, Urich had a population of 463.

Economic Profile
$44,821
Median Income
3.8%
Unemployment
Community
54.9
Median Age
43
People / sq mi
0%
College Educated
70.4%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Blairstown, MO tap water safe to drink?

Blairstown's water quality earned a grade of B- (74.4/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #369 out of 509 cities tested in Missouri.

What contaminants are in Blairstown's water?

Lead was measured at 0.7 ppb (90th percentile). 52 violations are on record.

How is Blairstown'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 Blairstown?

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

Where does Blairstown's water come from?

Blairstown's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,263 residents.

What health violations has Blairstown's water system had?

Blairstown has 34 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 12 violations remain unresolved.

How does Blairstown's water compare to other cities?

Blairstown ranks #369 out of 509 cities in Missouri (better than 28% of state cities) and #9861 out of 15744 cities nationally (37th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.