Is New Franklin, MO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
80.1/100
waterverge.com New Franklin, MO — Water Quality Report
New Franklin's drinking water received a grade of B+ (80.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,089 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 4.0 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 37 violations on record, including 22 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
What to know about New Franklin's water
New Franklin ranks #316 out of 509 cities in Missouri for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
New Franklin purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
As a small community water system, New Franklin may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is New Franklin, MO water safe to drink?
New Franklin's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (80.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,089 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for New Franklin
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New Franklin's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (80.1/100).
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3374). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4012). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for New Franklin's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
New Franklin's water system has 37 total violations on record, including 22 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Howard 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. Local water sources include Missouri River At Boonville, Petite Saline Creek At Hwy U Nr Boonville, M0.
Where does New Franklin's water come from?
New Franklin's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,089 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Missouri River At Boonville (river), Petite Saline Creek At Hwy U Nr Boonville, M0 (river).
What New Franklin residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in New Franklin'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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
New Franklin'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 New Franklin
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near New Franklin, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
CATERPILLAR INC. - HIGH PERFORMANCE MOLDED PRODUCTS BOONVILLE, MO65233 | — | — | 5.7 mi |
HUEBERT FIBERBOARD INC BOONVILLE, MO65233 | — | — | 2.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Howard 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.
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. | 4.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how New Franklin compares by contaminant
Explore where New Franklin ranks among all Missouri cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where New Franklin's water comes from
New Franklin 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 New Franklin'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 1,089 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near New Franklin
New Franklin is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving New Franklin
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW FRANKLIN PWS | MO2010566 | 1,089 | GWP |
How New Franklin compares
Full Missouri rankings →New Franklin's score of 80.1/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Missouri cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Missouri rankings →About New Franklin, MO
Wikipedia →New Franklin is a city in Howard County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,027 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Columbia, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to New Franklin's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Howard
Frequently asked questions
Is New Franklin, MO tap water safe to drink?
New Franklin's water quality earned a grade of B+ (80.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #316 out of 509 cities tested in Missouri.
What contaminants are in New Franklin's water?
Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 37 violations are on record.
How is New Franklin'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 New Franklin?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Franklin's water come from?
New Franklin's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,089 residents.
What health violations has New Franklin's water system had?
New Franklin has 22 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in May 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.
Is New Franklin's groundwater at risk of contamination?
New Franklin 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 37 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 New Franklin's water compare to other cities?
New Franklin ranks #316 out of 509 cities in Missouri (better than 38% of state cities) and #8021 out of 15744 cities nationally (49th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does New Franklin's small water system affect quality?
New Franklin's system serves approximately 1,089 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 37 violations on record.