01The verdict: is Van Buren water safe?
Van Buren's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (77.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,119 residents using groundwater (wells).
29 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 1.1 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓2 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Van Buren's drinking water received a grade of B (77.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,119 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.1 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 65 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 29 remain unresolved.
Van Buren ranks #333 out of 487 cities in Missouri for water quality, placing it below average in the state. Van Buren 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, Van Buren may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Van Buren's water
Every contaminant flagged in Van Buren, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 1.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Missouri
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Missouri
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Van Buren's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 65 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 29 remain unresolved.
6 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 7.4 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 7.4 ppb (2025) — 49% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Van Buren's water comes from
Van Buren's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
3 systems
3 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
2,119 people
Residents served across Van Buren's service area.
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 2,119 people through 3 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| VAN BUREN PWS | MO4010811 | 819 | Groundwater |
| DEER RUN REORGANIZED COMMON SEWER DIST | MO4036194 | 700 | Purchased Groundwater |
| CARTER COUNTY PWSD 1 | MO4024108 | 600 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Van Buren
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Van Buren's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
4 federal disaster declarations on record for Carter County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Van Buren compares
Scores for nearby Missouri cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Missouri average (67/100)
Van Buren scores 77.5/100 — above the Missouri average of 67/100. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities. Full Missouri rankings →
74.8 / 100BKansas City, MO
79.2 / 100FSpringfield, MO
37.1 / 100CColumbia, MO
61.4 / 100FO Fallon, MO
43.4 / 100FDes Peres, MO
36.6 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Van Buren's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Van Buren's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Van Buren alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Van Buren, MO tap water safe to drink?
Van Buren's water quality earned a grade of B (77.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #333 out of 487 cities tested in Missouri.
What contaminants are in Van Buren's water?
Lead was measured at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile). 65 violations are on record.
How is Van Buren'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 Van Buren?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Van Buren's water come from?
Van Buren's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 2,119 residents.
What health violations has Van Buren's water system had?
Van Buren has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 29 violations remain unresolved.
Is Van Buren's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Van Buren 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 65 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 Van Buren's water compare to other cities?
Van Buren ranks #333 out of 487 cities in Missouri (better than 32% of state cities) and #8885 out of 15382 cities nationally (42th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.