Is St. Martins, MO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A+ with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how St. Martins ranks. What to do next ↓
96.7/100
waterverge.com St. Martins, MO — Water Quality Report
St. Martins's drinking water received a grade of A+ (96.7 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,000 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.9 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 5 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.
What to know about St. Martins's water
St. Martins ranks #4 out of 509 cities in Missouri for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
St. Martins 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, St. Martins may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is St. Martins, MO water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, St. Martins's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (96.7/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,000 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for St. Martins
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into St. Martins's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (96.7/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4317). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4250). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Radium-226, Radium-228.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for St. Martins's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
St. Martins's water system has 5 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Cole County has experienced 8 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 Jefferson City, Moreau River Near Jefferson City.
Where does St. Martins's water come from?
St. Martins's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,000 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 Jefferson City (river), Moreau River Near Jefferson City (river).
What St. Martins residents can do
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.
St. Martins'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 St. Martins
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near St. Martins, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 2 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
MODINE MANUFACTURING CO JEFFERSON CITY, MO65109 | Copper | 2 | 3.7 mi |
DELONG'S INC JEFFERSON CITY, MO65109 | — | — | 7.2 mi |
HITACHI ENERGY USA INC. JEFFERSON CITY, MO65101 | — | — | 9.5 mi |
UNILEVER MANUFACTURING (US) INC. JEFFERSON CITY, MO65109 | — | — | 5.8 mi |
PHILLIPS 66 JEFFERSON CITY TERMINAL JEFFERSON CITY, MO65109 | — | — | 7.3 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Cole County has experienced 8 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. | 1.9 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how St. Martins compares by contaminant
Explore where St. Martins ranks among all Missouri cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where St. Martins's water comes from
St. Martins'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 2,000 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near St. Martins
St. Martins is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving St. Martins
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| COLE COUNTY PWSD 3 | MO3024162 | 2,000 | GW |
How St. Martins compares
Full Missouri rankings →St. Martins's score of 96.7/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Missouri cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Missouri rankings →About St. Martins, MO
Wikipedia →Jefferson City, informally Jeff City, is the capital of the U.S. state of Missouri. It had a population of 43,228 at the 2020 United States census, ranking as the 16th most populous city in the state, but the 9th least populous U.S. state capital. It is also the county seat of Cole County and the principal city of the Jefferson City Metropolitan Statistical Area, the second-most-populous metropolitan area in Mid-Missouri and the fifth-most populous in the state. It forms part of the nine-county Columbia–Jefferson City–Moberly combined statistical area, which has 415,747 residents. Most of the city is located within Cole County, with a small northern section extending into adjacent Callaway County.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to St. Martins's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Cole
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Martins, MO tap water safe to drink?
St. Martins's water quality earned a grade of A+ (96.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #4 out of 509 cities tested in Missouri.
What contaminants are in St. Martins's water?
Lead was measured at 1.9 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.
How is St. Martins'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 St. Martins?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does St. Martins's water come from?
St. Martins's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,000 residents.
What health violations has St. Martins's water system had?
St. Martins has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2008. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
Is St. Martins's groundwater at risk of contamination?
St. Martins 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 5 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 St. Martins's water compare to other cities?
St. Martins ranks #4 out of 509 cities in Missouri (better than 99% of state cities) and #160 out of 15744 cities nationally (99th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does St. Martins's small water system affect quality?
St. Martins's system serves approximately 2,000 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 5 violations on record.