WaterVerge

Is Brunswick, MO Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 6 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: MO2024125
Overall Score
84 / 100
Violations
6 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#254 of 509 in Missouri Top 39% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
84/100
waterverge.com
B+ 84/100

Brunswick, MO — Water Quality Report

Brunswick's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,936 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 10 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Brunswick's water

Brunswick ranks #254 out of 509 cities in Missouri for water quality, placing it mid-range 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, Brunswick may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
84 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
38.5/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
18.5/20
A
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
3/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Brunswick, MO water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Brunswick's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (84/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,936 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

6
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
5 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Brunswick

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Brunswick's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (84/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4435). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3325). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Brunswick's water system has 10 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MONRPTMROther
Most recent violations:
May 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Oct 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Oct 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jul 2019 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Chariton County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4435
FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-3325
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3232

Where does Brunswick's water come from?

Brunswick's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,936 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Brunswick residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Brunswick'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
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
HAA5 (Disinfection Byproducts)
Disinfection Byproduct
Safe
7.8 µg/L
EPA MCL: 60 µg/L · 13% of limit
Within LimitUCMR 4 DataHAA6Br: 8.1 µg/LHAA9: 14.0 µg/L
Compliance Record

Violation summary

10
Total violations
0
Health-based
6
Active / unresolved
May 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

10 Total
6 Active
0 Health-based
4 Resolved
Violations by category
Revised Total Coliform Rule
2
Lead and Copper Rule
2
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
1
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2019 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
May 2025 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved May 2025
Oct 2017 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2017
Oct 2017 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2017
May 2017 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved May 2017
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

5
Declared disasters
May 2019
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Chariton County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

May 2019
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4435
Jun 2011
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #3325
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3232
Jul 1993
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #995
Nov 1973
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #407

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 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 0.0 ppb from 1993 (0.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,936
Water Systems
2
Source breakdown
Purchased Surface Water
1
Groundwater
1
Water Source

Where Brunswick's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Brunswick'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 1,936 people through 2 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Brunswick

System Name PWSID Population Source
CHARITON COUNTY PWSD 2 MO2024125 1,078 SWP
MO AMERICAN BRUNSWICK MO2010109 858 GW
Regional Comparison

How Brunswick compares

Full Missouri rankings →

Brunswick's score of 84/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Missouri cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Brunswick (this city)
84
St. Louis
40.9
Columbia
61.4
Missouri avg
62
City Profile

About Brunswick, MO

Wikipedia →

Brunswick is a city in Chariton County, Missouri, United States. Its population was 801 at the 2020 census. Brunswick, by official state proclamation, is the Pecan Capital of Missouri. The Missouri Farmers Association was founded in Brunswick in 1914.

Economic Profile
$42,500
Median Income
$74,520
Median Home Value
$456/mo
Median Rent
6.1%
Unemployment
Community
44.2
Median Age
275
People / sq mi
19.9%
College Educated
58.5%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Brunswick, MO tap water safe to drink?

Brunswick's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #254 out of 509 cities tested in Missouri.

What contaminants are in Brunswick's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 10 violations are on record.

How is Brunswick'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 Brunswick?

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

Where does Brunswick's water come from?

Brunswick's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,936 residents.

How does Brunswick's water compare to other cities?

Brunswick ranks #254 out of 509 cities in Missouri (better than 50% of state cities) and #6150 out of 15744 cities nationally (61th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.