Water Quality: Cape Girardeau, MO
11 water systems • 41,436 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Cape Girardeau is served by 11 public water systems with a combined service population of 41,436 people, and has 241 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 162 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Cape Girardeau's violation count is 532% above the national average for Missouri. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine Dioxide, E. coli, Gross Alpha, HAA5, Total Organic Carbon.
Contaminants Found
Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms
EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Not a direct health risk but reacts with disinfectants to form carcinogenic byproducts such as trihalomethanes.
Common source: Decaying plant material, algae, soil organic matter in source water
EPA limit: Treatment technique (must reduce TOC based on source water level)
Water Systems Serving Cape Girardeau
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPE GIRARDEAU PWS | MO4010136 | Groundwater | 39,941 | 12 |
| CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY PWSD 5 | MO4021532 | Groundwater | 485 | 9 |
| PARKWOOD ESTATES LLC | MO4048083 | Groundwater | 350 | 25 |
| WINDWOOD ESTATES SUBD | MO4031196 | Groundwater | 170 | 7 |
| MID AMERICA TEEN CHALLENGE | MO4079503 | Groundwater | 135 | 19 |
| NORTH HILLS ESTATES | MO4036144 | Groundwater | 100 | 6 |
| ENCLAVE APTS & AFFORDABLE MINI STORAGE | MO4071647 | Groundwater | 92 | 4 |
| ROYAL LAKE ESTATES | MO4031334 | Groundwater | 52 | 0 |
| WESTLAKE MEADOWS SUBDIVISION | MO4031453 | Groundwater | 50 | 157 |
| WINFIELD POINTE ESTATES | MO4031534 | Groundwater | 33 | 0 |
| UPPER BEND ROAD SUBDIVISION | MO4030289 | Groundwater | 28 | 2 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Missouri
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.