What was found in Carthage's water
The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 830 µg/L 8.3% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 2090 µg/L — SUNSET MHP · 80 people · 2019 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 815 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 85.375 µg/L 4.3% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 100.9 µg/L — SUNSET MHP · 80 people · 2019 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 79.99 µg/L 6.2% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 12 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2024 | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 9.173 µg/L 61% of the EPA limit 15 µg/L Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 1.61 µg/L 1.6% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 5.197 µg/L — MALFUNCTION JUNCTION · 37 people · 2017 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 3.7875 µg/L 4.7% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 2.9 pCi/L 58% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L Highest in the city: MALFUNCTION JUNCTION · 37 people · 2016 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 1.573 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 1.52 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 1.47 µg/L 15% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 1.45 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 1.316 µg/L 26% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 1.2 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 0.8820 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 0.7700 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0019 mg/L 12% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: CARTHAGE PWS · 14,600 people · 2024
Highest in the city: 0.0048 mg/L — MALFUNCTION JUNCTION · 37 people · 2025 | 3/3 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Carthage
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| CARTHAGE PWS | 14,600 |
| SUNSET MHP | 80 |
| MALFUNCTION JUNCTION | 37 |
Frequently asked questions about Carthage tap water
Is Carthage tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 18 contaminants in the water serving Carthage. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Carthage?
3 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Carthage, Missouri to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Carthage's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Carthage include Nitrate-Nitrite, Fluoride, Barium, Copper, Lithium. The full list, with the level at the main supplier and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.