News Release 688
Department publishes list of drinking water systems that fail to complete testing
Volume 38-688 (For Immediate Release)
For more information:
573-751-1010
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 9, 2010 – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources today released a list of 34 drinking water systems in the state that have chronically failed to complete drinking water testing required by state law.
The systems listed have at least three major monitoring violations in a 12-month period. While failing to monitor does not necessarily mean the water is unsafe, routine testing by a facility is a crucial part of maintaining a safe water supply.
The department requires all public water systems to test for bacteria at least once a month to verify these systems are providing safe drinking water to the public. The vast majority of community and non-community public water systems in Missouri comply with all monitoring requirements and meet all drinking water standards. This current list of 34 chronic violators represents only 1.2 percent of the approximately 2,800 public drinking water systems in Missouri.
Bacteriological testing can be the first step in identifying and correcting a problem. The next step is to investigate the cause of any bad samples and perform corrective action, such as disinfecting and flushing the system. When a public water system has a record of both failing to monitor and a history of exceeding contaminant levels, this may raise concerns about the unknown quality of the drinking water.
If a water sample tests positive for total coliform bacteria, further testing is then performed for fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria, which can directly cause gastrointestinal illness. Most samples that test positive for total coliform test negative for fecal coliform or E. coli. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the total coliform-positive samples that are listed on our Website tested negative for fecal coliform or E. coli. When fecal coliform or E. coli is detected, the department requires a public water system to immediately notify its customers to boil their drinking water, or in the case of a non-community system, to provide an alternative source, such as bottled water, in addition to notifying the affected public.
To view more details on the violators listed, visit the department's Website at dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/chronic/index.html.
County -- Public Drinking Water System
- Barry -- Roaring River Home Owners Association
- Benton -- Hidden Valley Mobile Home Park, Lake Hills Motel and Restaurant, Sun Valley Subdivision, TT Campground
- Camden -- 54 Diner, Kelley’s Landing, Mariner’s Pier 31 Yacht Club, Pit Stop Café, Rapid Roberts #117
- Dade -- South Greenfield
- Dallas-- Ho Humm Campground, Fraternal Order of Eagles 4010, The Corner
- Jasper -- Coachlight RV Park, Kum & Go # 29
- Jefferson -- Valle Acres Mobile Home Park
- Lawrence -- Baumer’s Food Mart
- Miller -- Cedar Junction, Old Town Osage, Sunset Mobile Home Park
- Morgan -- Osage River Bar and Grille
- Newton -- Believers Faith Fellowship
- Ozark -- Thunder Bay Resort
- St. Charles -- Emmanuel United Church of Christ
- Stone -- Cross Roads Store, Jones Cove Subdivision, The Lake House
- Taney -- East Fork Subdivision, GDM Investment Project, Parkview Lodge, Spring Creek 2nd Addition
- Washington -- L and M Mobile Home Park
- Wright -- Mountain Grove Christian Academy
These systems’ owners have been sent multiple violation notices in addition to certified letters informing them that chronic failure to monitor is unacceptable. Representatives of the Department of Natural Resources also routinely make on-site inspections and attempt to reach an agreement with the responsible parties to ensure sampling requirements will be met. If these parties continue to fail to comply with Missouri's drinking water law, the department pursues more stringent enforcement action through legal channels. For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827.
