PFAS in Drinking Water in Missouri
What residents of Missouri need to know about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water — including contamination sources, which utilities have documented violations, and how to filter PFAS from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is PFAS in drinking water a real concern in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri has documented PFAS contamination from Whiteman AFB in Johnson County and from industrial manufacturing sites in the St. Louis metro area. The St. Louis area also has broader environmental contamination concerns that include PFAS from industrial legacy sites. Lambert-St. Louis International Airport fire training operations have also contributed to local groundwater concerns.
Where does PFAS come from in Missouri?
Whiteman AFB near Knob Noster in Johnson County is Missouri's primary military PFAS source. AFFF use at this strategic bomber base has contaminated surrounding groundwater in Johnson and Pettis counties. The St. Louis metro area faces industrial PFAS from manufacturing legacy and fire training at Lambert Airport. Missouri's major rivers — the Missouri and Mississippi — carry PFAS from upstream industrial states.
What should Missouri residents know?
Johnson County residents near Whiteman AFB and private well users in the surrounding rural area face the most direct military PFAS risk. St. Louis metro residents drawing from the Missouri or Mississippi rivers should review their utility's PFAS data. Missouri DNR has conducted PFAS sampling under UCMR5 and is assessing treatment needs across the state.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL (PFOA/PFOS) | 4 ppt — effective April 2024 |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary contamination sources | Whiteman AFB (Johnson County), industrial sites in St. Louis metro, Lambert Airport fire training |
| River system concern | Missouri River carries PFAS from upstream states — affects St. Louis area water utilities |
| State regulator | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
| Health effects | Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune effects, developmental toxicity |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis or GAC; major St. Louis utilities evaluating source water PFAS treatment |
Why PFAS Matters in Missouri
Whiteman AFB — home of the B-2 Spirit bomber — is a major Air Force installation with significant AFFF use history. PFAS from this base has been detected in surrounding Johnson County groundwater. The St. Louis metro area faces a broader PFAS picture: industrial manufacturing legacy, airport fire training, and the fact that St. Louis' water supply draws from the Missouri River — which carries PFAS loading from multiple upstream sources including military installations in Kansas (McConnell AFB) and Montana. Missouri DNR has been expanding its PFAS monitoring program.
Missouri PFAS Regulation
Missouri DNR participates in UCMR5 monitoring and has coordinated PFAS assessments at Whiteman AFB (Knob Noster), Fort Leonard Wood, and Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Missouri's significant military presence and industrial manufacturing base in the St. Louis area create multiple PFAS pathways. Missouri does not have a state PFAS MCL more protective than federal.
Largest Missouri Water Utilities
No PFAS violations on record in EPA SDWIS for Missouri utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
What Are PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and AFFF firefighting foam. Their carbon-fluorine bonds do not break down in the environment or the body — hence the name “forever chemicals.” AFFF used at military bases is the single largest source of PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Full PFAS overview — national data, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Knob Noster, Warrensburg, and rural Johnson and Pettis county residents near Whiteman AFB face the highest direct military PFAS risk. St. Louis metro residents should monitor Missouri River source water PFAS data from their utilities.
Residents near military bases with AFFF use history
Private well owners near military or industrial sites
Pregnant residents and families with young children
Residents in communities with documented PFAS detections
Anyone who has consumed water above 4 ppt for an extended period
Residents near airports, fire training areas, or industrial manufacturers
How to Check Your Situation in Missouri
- 1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or by browsing the Missouri utility directory on this site.
- 2
Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it must report PFAS monitoring results under UCMR5 and the new MCL.
- 3
Check the EPA's ECHO database for your utility's monitoring history. Look for PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and related compound results.
- 4
Contact your utility directly and ask for their most recent PFAS test results and whether they are implementing treatment under the 2024 MCL.
- 5
If you use a private well near a military base, airport, or industrial facility, order a PFAS panel test from a state-certified laboratory. Tests typically cost $150–$400.
- 6
If PFAS is detected above 4 ppt in your source water, install a certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filter rated for PFAS removal.
How to Remove PFAS from Tap Water
Reverse Osmosis (Best)
90–99% removal — NSF/ANSI 58 certified systems only
Certified Activated Carbon
Effective with NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification — verify before buying
Boiling concentrates PFAS. Standard pitcher filters and water softeners do not remove PFAS. Always verify NSF certification before purchasing.
Take Action Now
Look up your Missouri utility's PFAS monitoring history on the PFAS Watchlist below.
If your utility has detected PFAS above 4 ppt, install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system at your drinking tap.
Private well owners near military or industrial sites should order a PFAS panel test ($150–$400 at a state-certified lab).
Request your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report — PFAS results must be disclosed under the new 2024 MCL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
PFAS — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with PFAS records
Missouri PFAS Watchlist
Live utility PFAS monitoring data
Missouri State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 90–99% of PFAS
Activated Carbon Filter Guide
NSF/ANSI 53/58 certified options for PFAS
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Another priority contaminant
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Find Your Utility
State Regulator
Missouri Department of Natural Resources ↗