Is Drinking Water Safe in Missouri's Lead Belt?

The Lead Belt (Southeast Missouri Lead District, primarily St. Francois County) has a legacy of lead mining and smelting contamination dating to the 1700s. Designated a Superfund site in 1983, it remains an area of concern for drinking water safety.

Regulatory Standards

• EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): 15 ppb (parts per billion) lead in drinking water
• Missouri DHSS Recommendations (stricter):
  • Children <6 years: ≤1 ppb
  • Pregnant women / women of childbearing age: ≤5 ppb
• CDC/AAP: No safe blood lead level in children; goal = 0 ppb

Current Situation

• EPA has spent $1+ billion on cleanup since 1983
• Municipal systems generally meet MCL after treatment
• Private wells remain high-risk—many untested, untreated
• Legacy contamination in soil, dust, paint contributes to exposure

If You Live in the Lead Belt

1. Test your water: Contact St. Francois County Health Center or Missouri DHSS for certified lab list
2. If lead > MCL (15 ppb) or DHSS guidelines:
   • Install NSF/ANSI 53 certified lead-removing filter (reverse osmosis, carbon block, distillation)
   • Flush taps 30+ seconds before use (especially morning)
   • Use cold water only for drinking/cooking (hot leaches more lead)
   • Avoid untested public fountains
3. Test children's blood lead levels (pediatrician, health dept)
4. Consult doctor/health department for personalized guidance

Resources

• Missouri DHSS: health.mo.gov/living/environment/lead/
• EPA Superfund: Big River Mine Tailings/St. Francois County sites
• NSF Certified filters: nsf.org