WaterVerge

Is Wappappello, MO Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: MO4021311
Overall Score
91.5 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#55 of 509 in Missouri Top 11% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
91.5/100
waterverge.com
A 91.5/100

Wappappello, MO — Water Quality Report

Wappappello's drinking water received a grade of A (91.5 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,400 residents using groundwater.

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 5 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Wappappello's water

Wappappello ranks #55 out of 509 cities in Missouri for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
91.5 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.5/45
A
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: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Wappappello, MO water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Wappappello's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91.5/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,400 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)

Recent water quality updates for Wappappello

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Wappappello's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.5/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Wappappello's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Wappappello's water system has 5 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

MROther
Most recent violations:
May 2014 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Mar 2013 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jul 2012 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Nov 2004 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Where does Wappappello's water come from?

Wappappello's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,400 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Wappappello residents can do

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.

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

5
Total violations
0
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
May 2014
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

5 Total
2 Active
0 Health-based
3 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
3
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Jul 2012 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
May 2014 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2014
Mar 2013 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2013
Nov 2004 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2004
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Wayne County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
4.8%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

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 4.9 ppb from 2003 (4.9 ppb) to 2023 (0.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Wappappello compares by contaminant

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

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,400
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Wappappello's water comes from

Groundwater

Wappappello'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 1,400 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Wappappello

System Name PWSID Population Source
WAYNE & BUTLER COUNTY PWSD 4 MO4021311 1,400 GW
Regional Comparison

How Wappappello compares

Full Missouri rankings →

Wappappello's score of 91.5/100 is above the average of 62/100 among major Missouri cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Wappappello (this city)
91.5
St. Louis
40.9
Columbia
61.4
Missouri avg
62
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Frequently asked questions

Is Wappappello, MO tap water safe to drink?

Wappappello's water quality earned a grade of A (91.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #55 out of 509 cities tested in Missouri.

What contaminants are in Wappappello's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.

How is Wappappello'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 Wappappello?

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

Where does Wappappello's water come from?

Wappappello's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,400 residents.

Is Wappappello's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Wappappello 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 Wappappello's water compare to other cities?

Wappappello ranks #55 out of 509 cities in Missouri (better than 89% of state cities) and #1667 out of 15744 cities nationally (89th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Wappappello's small water system affect quality?

Wappappello's system serves approximately 1,400 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.