Is Garden City, MO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B- — but Chlorate was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
72.8/100
waterverge.com Garden City, MO — Water Quality Report
Garden City's drinking water received a grade of B- (72.8 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,538 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.4 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 88 violations on record, including 77 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
What to know about Garden City's water
Garden City ranks #377 out of 509 cities in Missouri for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Garden City purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.26 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Garden City, MO water safe to drink?
Garden City's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (72.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,538 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Garden City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Garden City's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (72.8/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Chlorite.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3232). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
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 Garden City's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Garden City's water system has 88 total violations on record, including 77 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Cass County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1982. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Garden City's water come from?
Garden City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 3,538 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Garden City residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Garden City's water.
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.
Garden City'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Garden City
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Garden City, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
MMT TECHNOLOGY INC GARDEN CITY, MO64747 | — | — | 3.7 mi |
PLANT 8 - PORT-0441 - GARDEN CITY GARDEN CITY, MO64747 | — | — | 2.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Cass County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1982. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.4 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Garden City compares by contaminant
Explore where Garden City ranks among all Missouri cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Garden City's water comes from
Garden City purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Garden City's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.
Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 3,538 people through 2 water systems.
Water systems serving Garden City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CASS COUNTY PWSD 11 | MO1021082 | 1,948 | GWP |
| MO AMERICAN GARDEN CITY | MO1010301 | 1,590 | SW |
How Garden City compares
Full Missouri rankings →Garden City's score of 72.8/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Missouri cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Missouri rankings →About Garden City, MO
Wikipedia →Garden City is a city in southeast Cass County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,579 at the 2020 census. The city lies roughly 50 miles southeast the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Garden City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Cass
Frequently asked questions
Is Garden City, MO tap water safe to drink?
Garden City's water quality earned a grade of B- (72.8/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #377 out of 509 cities tested in Missouri.
What contaminants are in Garden City's water?
Lead was measured at 1.4 ppb (90th percentile). 88 violations are on record.
How is Garden City'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 Garden City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Garden City's water come from?
Garden City's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 3,538 residents.
What health violations has Garden City's water system had?
Garden City has 77 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.
Is Garden City's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Garden City 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 88 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 Garden City's water compare to other cities?
Garden City ranks #377 out of 509 cities in Missouri (better than 26% of state cities) and #10229 out of 15744 cities nationally (35th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.