Copper in Missouri Drinking Water
Ranked by 90th percentile copper level (mg/L) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR
Copper in Missouri: what the data shows
Missouri has 32 cities with copper monitoring data. The state average 90th percentile copper level is 4.631 mg/L, compared to 28.808 mg/L nationally — better than the national average. 32 cities exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L. Copper in drinking water typically comes from corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, particularly in older homes. The EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L is the 90th percentile threshold — if more than 10% of tap samples exceed it, utilities must take corrective action including adjusting water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. Short-term copper exposure above the action level can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure at elevated levels is associated with liver and kidney damage. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use and using an NSF 53-certified filter can reduce copper exposure.
Cities exceeding 1.3 mg/L EPA Action Level
Copper data across Missouri
Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with copper levels above the 1.3 mg/L EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.
Top 10 cities by copper level in Missouri
Highest Copper levels (mg/L)
All Missouri cities ranked by copper level
| # | City | Level | Level | Exceeds? | Violations | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viburnum | 88.900 mg/L | Yes | 2 | B | |
| 2 | Ormond Beach | 4.200 mg/L | Yes | 1 | B+ | |
| 3 | Keytesville | 3.350 mg/L | Yes | 10 | B | |
| 4 | Independence | 3.300 mg/L | Yes | 0 | B | |
| 5 | Winfield | 2.930 mg/L | Yes | 35 | B- | |
| 6 | Warsaw | 2.909 mg/L | Yes | 60 | F | |
| 7 | Troy | 2.908 mg/L | Yes | 87 | F | |
| 8 | Peeples Valley | 2.200 mg/L | Yes | 11 | C | |
| 9 | Peeples Valley | 2.200 mg/L | Yes | 4 | B | |
| 10 | Ste. Genevieve | 1.940 mg/L | Yes | 20 | B | |
| 11 | Jameson | 1.920 mg/L | Yes | 3 | A- | |
| 12 | Bloomfield | 1.840 mg/L | Yes | 2 | B | |
| 13 | Melbourne Beach | 1.700 mg/L | Yes | 8 | B | |
| 14 | Warrensburg | 1.670 mg/L | Yes | 0 | B+ | |
| 15 | Rockville | 1.640 mg/L | Yes | 16 | B | |
| 16 | Essex | 1.610 mg/L | Yes | 9 | B- | |
| 17 | Matthews | 1.530 mg/L | Yes | 0 | C+ | |
| 18 | Camdenton | 1.523 mg/L | Yes | 73 | F | |
| 19 | Advance | 1.480 mg/L | Yes | 1 | B- | |
| 20 | Rosendale | 1.480 mg/L | Yes | 17 | C | |
| 21 | High Ridge | 1.470 mg/L | Yes | 15 | B- | |
| 22 | Greenwood | 1.460 mg/L | Yes | 4 | A- | |
| 23 | Mormon Lake | 1.450 mg/L | Yes | 9 | B- | |
| 24 | Gower | 1.449 mg/L | Yes | 0 | A- | |
| 25 | Bethany | 1.430 mg/L | Yes | 22 | B- | |
| 26 | Ironton | 1.420 mg/L | Yes | 29 | D | |
| 27 | Des Peres | 1.400 mg/L | Yes | 2149 | F | |
| 28 | Bonne Terre | 1.393 mg/L | Yes | 111 | C+ | |
| 29 | Morehouse | 1.390 mg/L | Yes | 11 | C | |
| 30 | Oran | 1.380 mg/L | Yes | 17 | C | |
| 31 | Clarksdale | 1.356 mg/L | Yes | 1 | A- | |
| 32 | Perryville | 1.350 mg/L | Yes | 51 | F |
Frequently asked questions about copper in Missouri
Is copper in Missouri drinking water safe?
32 cities in Missouri exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L for copper. The state average is 4.631 mg/L. Copper levels are highest in homes with copper plumbing, particularly when water sits in pipes overnight. Flushing the tap before use significantly reduces copper in drinking water.
What causes high copper levels in Missouri tap water?
Copper typically leaches from copper pipes and brass fittings within homes, not from the water source itself. Corrosive (low pH or soft) water accelerates this leaching. Water utilities with high copper readings are required to adjust water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use.