WaterVerge

Is Pattonsburg, MO Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B-, with 9 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: MO1024186
Overall Score
70.3 / 100
Violations
9 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased ground water
#403 of 509 in Missouri Top 68% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
70.3/100
waterverge.com
B- 70.3/100

Pattonsburg, MO — Water Quality Report

Pattonsburg's drinking water received a grade of B- (70.3 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,480 residents using purchased ground 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 32 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Pattonsburg's water

Pattonsburg ranks #403 out of 509 cities in Missouri for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

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

The system has seen 10 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
70.3 out of 100 Grade B-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
23.3/45
D
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Purchased ground water.
Water Safety

Is Pattonsburg, MO water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Pattonsburg's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (70.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,480 residents using groundwater (wells).

9
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
4 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Pattonsburg

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Pattonsburg's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (70.3/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Groundwater Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

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 Pattonsburg's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Pattonsburg's water system has 32 total violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved. 10 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherTTMONMRRPTMCL
Most recent violations:
Dec 2025 Public Notice Open
Oct 2025 Groundwater Rule Open
Aug 2025 Public Notice Open
May 2025 Groundwater Rule Resolved
May 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Daviess County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1965. 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 Grand River Near Pattonsburg.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3232
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-995
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-407

Where does Pattonsburg's water come from?

Pattonsburg's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 2,480 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Grand River Near Pattonsburg (river).

What Pattonsburg residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Pattonsburg'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
Compliance Record

Violation summary

32
Total violations
5
Health-based
9
Active / unresolved
Dec 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

32 Total
9 Active
5 Health-based
23 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
15
Revised Total Coliform Rule
6
Ground Water Rule
4
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
2
Lead and Copper Rule
2
Dec 2025 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2025 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Aug 2025 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2018 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
May 2015 Active
Groundwater Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
May 2025 Resolved
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health Resolved May 2025
May 2025 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved May 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
Groundwater Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 2025
Sep 2024 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Sep 2024
Jun 2024 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Jun 2024
Jul 2020 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Jul 2020
Nov 2019 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Nov 2019
Aug 2018 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Aug 2018
Jun 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2015
Nov 2012 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2012
Jul 2012 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2012
Showing 20 of 32 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Pattonsburg

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
MURPHY BROWN OF MISSOURI LLC-COFFEY FEEDMILL
Food · UNITED GLOBAL FOODS US HOLDINGS INC
PATTONSBURG, MO64670
2.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

4
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Daviess County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1965. 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
Nov 1973
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #407
Jul 1965
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #203

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 2024 (0.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Pattonsburg compares by contaminant

Explore where Pattonsburg ranks among all Missouri cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,480
Water Systems
2
Source breakdown
Purchased Groundwater
1
Groundwater
1
Water Source

Where Pattonsburg's water comes from

Purchased Groundwater

Pattonsburg 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 Pattonsburg'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 2,480 people through 2 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Pattonsburg

Pattonsburg is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Grand River Near Pattonsburg
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Pattonsburg

System Name PWSID Population Source
DAVIESS COUNTY PWSD 1 MO1024186 2,165 GWP
PATTONSBURG PWS MO1010632 315 GW
Regional Comparison

How Pattonsburg compares

Full Missouri rankings →

Pattonsburg's score of 70.3/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Missouri cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.

Pattonsburg (this city)
70.3
St. Louis
40.9
Columbia
61.4
Missouri avg
62
City Profile

About Pattonsburg, MO

Economic Profile
$40,000
Median Income
$57,383
Median Home Value
$519/mo
Median Rent
6%
Unemployment
Community
35.8
Median Age
176
People / sq mi
6.3%
College Educated
69.4%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Pattonsburg, MO tap water safe to drink?

Pattonsburg's water quality earned a grade of B- (70.3/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #403 out of 509 cities tested in Missouri.

What contaminants are in Pattonsburg's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 32 violations are on record.

How is Pattonsburg'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 Pattonsburg?

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

Where does Pattonsburg's water come from?

Pattonsburg's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,480 residents.

What health violations has Pattonsburg's water system had?

Pattonsburg has 5 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 9 violations remain unresolved.

Is Pattonsburg's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Pattonsburg 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 32 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 Pattonsburg's water compare to other cities?

Pattonsburg ranks #403 out of 509 cities in Missouri (better than 21% of state cities) and #10760 out of 15744 cities nationally (32th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.