Tap Water Results

Is Jefferson City, MO tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Missouri American Water – Jefferson City District. 1 PFAS were detected below the limits.

4 public water systems serve parts of Jefferson City. The largest, Missouri American Water – Jefferson City District, serves 30,075 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Missouri American Water – Jefferson City District

30,075 people · Surface water · EPA ID MO3010409

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 2 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Across Missouri, 6 of 227 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 3 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Missouri results.

Jefferson City homes and lead pipes

53%
of homes built before 1980 (Missouri 53%, US 50%)
15%
built before 1950 (Missouri 18%)
41%
of households rent (Missouri 32%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Jefferson City city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Jefferson City

  • Cole County Public Water Supply District 1
    16,548 people · Groundwater · Missouri · lists this city
    PFOA detected
  • Cole County Public Water Supply District 2
    13,107 people · Groundwater · Missouri · lists this city
    No PFAS above limits
  • Missouri American Water – Jefferson City North
    95 people · Purchased groundwater · Missouri · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Columbia 27 mi
City of Columbia Utilities
City of Columbia UtilitiesNone above limits2.1 ppb
Wentzville 73 mi
Wentzville Public Water System
Wentzville Public Water SystemNone above limits4.77 ppb
O'Fallon 80 mi
Missouri American Water – St Louis St Charles Counties
Missouri American Water – St Louis St Charles CountiesNone above limits0 ppb
Wildwood 81 mi
Missouri American Water – St Louis St Charles Counties
Missouri American Water – St Louis St Charles CountiesNone above limits0 ppb
St. Peters 86 mi
Missouri American Water – St Louis St Charles Counties
Missouri American Water – St Louis St Charles CountiesNone above limits0 ppb
Chesterfield 87 mi
Missouri American Water – St Louis St Charles Counties
Missouri American Water – St Louis St Charles CountiesNone above limits0 ppb
Jefferson City ZIP codes (1)
  • 65101

Questions

Is Jefferson City tap water safe to drink?

Missouri American Water – Jefferson City District has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Jefferson City, MO?

4 public water systems serve parts of Jefferson City. The largest is Missouri American Water – Jefferson City District (30,075 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Jefferson City tap water have PFAS?

Missouri American Water – Jefferson City District had 1 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Jefferson City homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 53% of Jefferson City homes as built before 1980 (Missouri: 53%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Missouri American Water – Jefferson City District's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.