Statewide Compliance and Testing

• Overall Compliance: The majority of Missouri’s public water systems meet federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards, with Missouri American Water serving 1.6 million people and consistently meeting or surpassing all state and federal water quality regulations.
• PFAS Monitoring: Missouri has conducted voluntary PFAS sampling since 2013, representing public water supplies serving more than 76% of the state’s population, with most cities showing low levels of four types of PFAS according to MoDNR databases.
• Infrastructure Investment: Over $87 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been allocated to Missouri for water infrastructure improvements, including $12.4 million specifically for emerging contaminant treatment and disadvantaged communities.

Major Water Sources and Challenges

• Missouri River System: Primary water source for much of northern and central Missouri, including Kansas City and Columbia areas, requiring ongoing monitoring for agricultural runoff and emerging contaminants.
• Mississippi River Basin: Serves St. Louis metropolitan area and eastern Missouri communities, with documented challenges from urban runoff and legacy industrial contamination requiring advanced treatment technologies.
• Aging Infrastructure Concerns: Kansas City faces ongoing water main break challenges, while St. Louis deals with similar issues with water mains averaging 55 to 65 years of age, requiring an estimated $8.5 billion in infrastructure investments over 20 years.

Emerging Contaminant Response

• PFAS Regulation Implementation: New EPA drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS (4 parts per trillion) take effect in 2029, with Missouri planning proactive sampling for all community water systems by 2025, two years ahead of federal requirements.
• Treatment Technology Deployment: Water utilities are implementing advanced treatment technologies including activated carbon filtration and reverse osmosis systems, with some systems like Springfield already blending contaminated sources with clean water to reduce PFAS levels.
• PFAS Workgroup Initiative: MoDNR has established a stakeholder workgroup with Missouri experts in wastewater, stormwater, drinking water, chemistry, and environmental advocacy to address emerging contaminant concerns comprehensively.

Rural and Disadvantaged Communities

• Infrastructure Disparities: Rural water systems face disproportionate challenges with aging infrastructure, limited technical capacity, and higher per-capita costs for compliance with new emerging contaminant regulations.
• Targeted Federal Support: Communities with less than 10,000 people and disadvantaged conditions are eligible for federal grants to purchase sampling equipment and monitor water for emerging contaminants, though ongoing operational costs remain a challenge.
• Technical Assistance Programs: MoDNR and EPA provide enhanced technical support to help smaller systems navigate complex regulatory requirements and secure funding for necessary improvements through state revolving fund programs.

Looking Forward: 2025-2030

Missouri’s water quality landscape is undergoing significant transformation as utilities prepare for new federal PFAS regulations taking effect in 2029. The state’s proactive approach to PFAS monitoring, combined with substantial federal infrastructure investments totaling over $87 million, positions Missouri as a leader in addressing emerging water quality challenges. However, successful implementation will require continued collaboration between state regulators, water utilities, and communities to ensure that all Missourians have access to safe, affordable drinking water while addressing the estimated $8.5 billion in infrastructure needs and legacy contamination that has historically challenged the state’s water systems.