WaterVerge

Is Montgomery City, MO Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: MO6010539
Overall Score
93.9 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#20 of 509 in Missouri Top 4% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
93.9/100
waterverge.com
A 93.9/100

Montgomery City, MO — Water Quality Report

Montgomery City's drinking water received a grade of A (93.9 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,811 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.5 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 14 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Montgomery City's water

Montgomery City ranks #20 out of 509 cities in Missouri for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

Montgomery City 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, Montgomery City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
93.9 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.9/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Montgomery City, MO water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Montgomery City's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (93.9/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,811 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
1.5 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
7 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Montgomery City

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Montgomery City's water quality assessment. Grade: A (93.9/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4665). 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.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Radium-226, Radium-228.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.5 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Montgomery City's water system has 14 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved.

MRMCL
Most recent violations:
Jan 2014 Radium-226 Resolved
Jan 2014 Radium-228 Resolved
Apr 2008 Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule Open
Jul 2006 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Apr 2006 Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Montgomery County has experienced 7 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 AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4665
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-3374
FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-3325

Where does Montgomery City's water come from?

Montgomery City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,811 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Montgomery City residents can do

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

Montgomery 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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.5 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 10% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

14
Total violations
1
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Jan 2014
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

14 Total
2 Active
1 Health-based
12 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
7
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
5
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Apr 2008 Active
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2014 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2019
Jan 2014 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2019
Jul 2006 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2006
Apr 2006 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2006
Apr 2006 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2006
Apr 2004 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2004
May 2003 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2003
May 2000 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved May 2000
Sep 1997 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1997
Aug 1997 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 1997
May 1995 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 1995
Apr 1992 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 1992
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Montgomery City

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
CHRISTY MINERALS LLC
Other · O'BRIEN INDUSTRIAL HOLDING
HIGH HILL, MO63350
9.0 mi
CARGILL FEED & NUTRITION MONTGOMERY CITY
Food · CARGILL INC
MONTGOMERY CITY, MO63361
0.6 mi
PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC - MONTGOMERY CITY
Food · LAND O LAKES INC
MONTGOMERY CITY, MO63361
0.9 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

7
Declared disasters
Aug 2022
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Montgomery County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Aug 2022
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4665
Jan 2016
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #3374
Jun 2011
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #3325
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) 1.5 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 increased by 1.5 ppb from 1993 (0.0 ppb) to 2024 (1.5 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Montgomery City compares by contaminant

Explore where Montgomery City ranks among all Missouri cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,811
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Montgomery City's water comes from

Groundwater

Montgomery City'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 2,811 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Montgomery City

System Name PWSID Population Source
MONTGOMERY CITY PWS MO6010539 2,811 GW
Regional Comparison

How Montgomery City compares

Full Missouri rankings →

Montgomery City's score of 93.9/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Missouri cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Montgomery City (this city)
93.9
St. Louis
40.9
Columbia
61.4
Missouri avg
62
City Profile

About Montgomery City, MO

Wikipedia →

Montgomery City is a city in and the county seat of Montgomery County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,811 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$47,465
Median Income
$130,279
Median Home Value
$731/mo
Median Rent
4%
Unemployment
Community
38.2
Median Age
322
People / sq mi
21.8%
College Educated
65.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Montgomery City, MO tap water safe to drink?

Montgomery City's water quality earned a grade of A (93.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #20 out of 509 cities tested in Missouri.

What contaminants are in Montgomery City's water?

Lead was measured at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile). 14 violations are on record.

How is Montgomery 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 Montgomery City?

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

Where does Montgomery City's water come from?

Montgomery City's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,811 residents.

What health violations has Montgomery City's water system had?

Montgomery City has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2014. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.

Is Montgomery City's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Montgomery 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 14 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 Montgomery City's water compare to other cities?

Montgomery City ranks #20 out of 509 cities in Missouri (better than 96% of state cities) and #675 out of 15744 cities nationally (96th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Montgomery City's small water system affect quality?

Montgomery City's system serves approximately 2,811 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 14 violations on record.