St. Louis City

ST. LOUIS CITY WATER - A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

The Water Department operates as a division of St. Louis City's Department of Public Utilities. Since 1835, our primary mission has been delivering high-quality municipal water to our customers. We take pride in our 2016 record of meeting or exceeding all standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Missouri Department of Natural Resources. For 112 consecutive years, we've maintained perfect compliance with water quality regulations.

Our laboratory team continuously monitors and evaluates water for over 150 potential contaminants. Testing occurs at river intake points, throughout the treatment process, and at multiple distribution points across the city. Our monitoring frequency and thoroughness exceed federal water quality requirements. The 2016 water quality analysis confirmed that no compounds were detected above permissible levels set by federal and state regulations.

The St. Louis Water Department proudly stands as a founding member of the Partnership for Safe Water, established in 1994 by 187 surface water utilities and organizations including the American Water Works Association and EPA. This partnership aims to enhance safety for millions of Americans through nationwide water quality improvements.

WHERE OUR WATER COMES FROM

St. Louis operates two water treatment facilities. The Howard Bend Plant draws from the Missouri River, while the Chain of Rocks Plant sources from the Mississippi River, south of where the Missouri and Mississippi converge. Water entering our Chain of Rocks facility primarily consists of Missouri River water since the rivers haven't fully mixed at that point. Together, these plants produce approximately 135 million gallons of water daily.

SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT

In 2004, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources conducted a source water assessment to evaluate contamination susceptibility. Complete results are available by calling DNR at 1-800-361-4827 or online at http://drinkingwater.Missouri.edu/swipe/swipmaps/passed.htm (System ID: 6010715). The assessment determined our river water sources are vulnerable due to potential contaminant sources. St. Louis employs comprehensive measures at intakes and throughout treatment to remove contaminants, consistently meeting or exceeding all Safe Drinking Water Standards.

UNDERSTANDING CONTAMINANTS

All municipal water, including bottled varieties, may reasonably contain small amounts of contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate health risks. More information about contaminants and potential health effects is available through the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

GIARDIA AND CRYPTOSPORIDIUM

These microscopic organisms can cause fever, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal issues when ingested. Found in rivers and streams, they originate from animal waste in watersheds. Our multi-stage, multiple-barrier treatment process eliminates these organisms through chlorination, precipitative softening, sedimentation, flocculation, and filtration. Previous monitoring detected no Cryptosporidium or Giardia in samples after initial treatment stages at either water plant, and finished water showed no cysts or oocysts.

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, elderly individuals, and infants—should seek medical advice about their drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing Cryptosporidium infection risk are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

LEAD IN WATER

St. Louis Water Division has optimized treatment processes to minimize internal plumbing corrosion. However, elevated lead levels, if present, can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead primarily enters water through service line materials and household plumbing components. While we provide high-quality water, we cannot control the materials used in plumbing fixtures. After water sits unused for several hours, you can minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in water, testing methods, and exposure reduction is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

FLUORIDATION

Since 1953, as mandated by St. Louis City Revised Code Chapter 11.26, the Water Department has fluoridated public water supplies. The original target level was 1 mg/L. Following 2010 recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and under direction from the City Health Department, we reduced our fluoridation target to 0.7 mg/L in January 2012.

1. What contaminants are most concerning in St. Louis municipal water?
2. How often is St. Louis water tested for quality and safety?
3. Where does St. Louis source its municipal water from?
4. What steps can residents take to improve their home water quality?
5. How does water hardness in St. Louis compare to national averages?