Editorial advisory
What the data suggests for Ray County
Water Verdict
Ray County, Missouri receives a fair water quality assessment with a grade of C and a score of 59.8 out of 100. The water supply meets baseline federal standards, but there may be periods of elevated contaminant levels or infrastructure concerns worth monitoring. The county's primary USGS gauge drains roughly 159 square miles of upstream watershed, giving local source waters a regional footprint. At the most recent USGS reading, local streamflow was below its historical mean at 18.4% — worth watching in drier seasons.
Violation Context
EPA SDWIS records for Ray County, Missouri show 1 health-based violation, meaning a water system experienced at least one exceedance of federal contaminant limits or treatment requirements. At 6.5 violations per 100,000 people served, this rate is moderate and suggests recurring water quality challenges.
Consumer Guidance
Tap water in Ray County meets baseline standards but the compliance record shows room for improvement, with a Grade C rating. Ray County's drinking-water compliance score is 59.8 out of 100. The violation rate for Ray County is 6.5 per 100,000 people served. Residents who are immunocompromised, pregnant, or have young children may benefit from using an NSF 53-certified filter. Contacting your local utility for the current Consumer Confidence Report will confirm which specific violations were recorded and whether they have been resolved. A pipeline streamflow snapshot from the Crooked River gauge is also available on this page.
Regional Context
Ray County has better water quality than the average county in Missouri. Its water score is 11 points higher than the state average, indicating stronger water system performance relative to neighboring counties.
Advisory text summarizes county-level public records and is not a replacement for your utility's current Consumer Confidence Report or direct local notices.