Is Sugar Creek, MO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
84.5/100
waterverge.com Sugar Creek, MO — Water Quality Report
Sugar Creek's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,500 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 4 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
What to know about Sugar Creek's water
Sugar Creek ranks #238 out of 509 cities in Missouri for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Sugar Creek purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Sugar Creek, MO water safe to drink?
Sugar Creek's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (84.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,500 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Sugar Creek
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Sugar Creek's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (84.5/100).
Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3325). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3232). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Sugar Creek's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Sugar Creek's water system has 4 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Jackson County has experienced 8 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 Missouri River At Kansas City, Missouri River At Randolph, Brush Creek At Rockhill Road In Kansas City, Blue River At Stadium Drive In Kansas City, Blue River At 12Th Street In Kansas City.
Where does Sugar Creek's water come from?
Sugar Creek's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 3,500 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 Kansas City (river), Missouri River At Randolph (river), Brush Creek At Rockhill Road In Kansas City (river), Blue River At Stadium Drive In Kansas City (river), Blue River At 12Th Street In Kansas City (river).
What Sugar Creek residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Sugar Creek'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.
Sugar Creek'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 Sugar Creek
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Sugar Creek, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 59,435 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
BAYER CROPSCIENCE LP - KC KANSAS CITY, MO64120 | n-Butyl alcohol | 58,759 | 3.8 mi |
US ARMY LAKE CITY ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT INDEPENDENCE, MO64056 | Zinc compounds | 662 | 3.8 mi |
HAWTHORN GENERATING STATION KANSAS CITY, MO64120 | Barium And Barium Compounds | 9 | 4.4 mi |
HENKEL US OPERATIONS CORP NORTH KANSAS CITY, MO64116 | Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution) | 5 | 8.0 mi |
MEYER LABORATORY INC. BLUE SPRINGS, MO64015 | — | — | 9.7 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Superfund sites within 10 miles of Sugar Creek
Superfund sites nearby
Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
- CONSERVATION CHEMICAL CO3.5 mi
- LEE CHEMICAL4.3 mi
- LAKE CITY ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT NORTHWEST LAGOON7.4 mi
- ARMOUR ROAD7.9 mi
Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List
Flood & disaster history
Jackson County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1965. 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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Sugar Creek compares by contaminant
Explore where Sugar Creek ranks among all Missouri cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Sugar Creek's water comes from
Sugar Creek 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 Sugar Creek'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 3,500 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Sugar Creek
Sugar Creek is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Sugar Creek
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUGAR CREEK PWS | MO1010773 | 3,500 | GWP |
How Sugar Creek compares
Full Missouri rankings →Sugar Creek's score of 84.5/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Missouri cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Missouri rankings →About Sugar Creek, MO
Wikipedia →Sugar Creek is a city in both Jackson and Clay counties in Missouri, United States. The population was 3,271 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Sugar Creek's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Jackson
Frequently asked questions
Is Sugar Creek, MO tap water safe to drink?
Sugar Creek's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #238 out of 509 cities tested in Missouri.
What contaminants are in Sugar Creek's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 4 violations are on record.
How is Sugar Creek'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 Sugar Creek?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Sugar Creek's water come from?
Sugar Creek's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 3,500 residents.
Is Sugar Creek's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Sugar Creek 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 4 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 Sugar Creek's water compare to other cities?
Sugar Creek ranks #238 out of 509 cities in Missouri (better than 53% of state cities) and #5852 out of 15744 cities nationally (63th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.