Water Quality Report · Updated May 12, 2026
INDEPENDENCE PWS
INDEPENDENCE PWS delivers tap water graded C (71/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 120,000 residents in INDEPENDENCE, Missouri using groundwater. The most significant water quality concerns are: Radon significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Chromium (hexavalent) significantly above health guideline. For questions, the utility can be reached at 816-325-7695.
Is INDEPENDENCE tap water safe to drink?
INDEPENDENCE PWS delivers tap water that earns a grade of C (71/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — an average rating, with several contaminants above health guidelines but generally compliant with US legal limits.
The utility serves 120,000 residents in INDEPENDENCE, drawing from groundwater.
Public testing data identifies 11 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Radon, Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Chromium (hexavalent), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Dichloroacetic acid, Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Chloroform, Dibromoacetic acid, Nitrate and nitrite, Bromodichloromethane, Trichloroacetic acid. For most residents, a properly certified home filter at the kitchen tap is the most cost-effective way to reduce exposure to whatever's in your water. See our filter recommendations below, matched specifically to this utility's contaminant profile.
Quick actions for INDEPENDENCE residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for INDEPENDENCE PWS.
Radon significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernRadon detected at 109.0 pCi/L, 73x above the EWG health guideline of 1.5 pCi/L.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 3.95 ppb, 66x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Chromium (hexavalent) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernChromium (hexavalent) detected at 0.845 ppb, 42x above the EWG health guideline of 0.02 ppb.
Contact INDEPENDENCE PWS
Reach the utility directly for service issues, water quality concerns, or to request your Consumer Confidence Report.
General Contact
Treatment Plant
Recommended water filters for INDEPENDENCE
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.
Carbon block (NSF/ANSI 42 + 53)
$40-$750Activated carbon is highly effective for disinfection byproducts like TTHM and HAA5.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
Score breakdown
This utility's overall score of 71/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →
Contaminants detected — international standards comparison
Every contaminant detected, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal (the strictest US benchmark). Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon Radiological |
109.0 pCi/L | 1.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 73× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
3.95 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 66× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.845 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 42× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
2.78 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 28× over |
| Dichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
2.58 ppb | 0.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 13× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
1.92 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 13× over |
| Chloroform Disinfection byproduct |
1.77 ppb | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 4.4× over |
| Dibromoacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
0.0738 ppb | 0.03 | — | — | — | — | — | 2.5× over |
| Nitrate and nitrite Inorganic |
0.222 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | 1.6× over |
| Bromodichloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
0.0936 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 1.6× over |
| Trichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
0.123 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1.2× over |
| Molybdenum Other |
3.21 ppb | 40.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
1.59 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
48.7 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
0.203 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.198 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.2 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Lithium Other |
37.2 ppb | — | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines (4th ed.), California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
INDEPENDENCE PWS service area
This water system serves 1 community in Jackson County, Missouri. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for INDEPENDENCE water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.