Independence
Independence, MO water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
independence pws
groundwater (wells) · local government · PWSID MO1010399
Below EPA's 15 ppb lead action level at last testing.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1
With about 117,255 residents, Independence ranks as the 5th-largest city in Missouri and a mid-sized city. Water in Independence is sourced chiefly from Missouri River, Mississippi River, and Ozark aquifer, the backbone of Missouri's supply.
The defining water pressure here mirrors the state's: aging infrastructure. Major rivers provide ample supply; aging systems are the main vulnerability.
Statewide, Missouri recycles about 4% of its wastewater with minimal reuse programs. Locally, Independence faces abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions.
The Missouri state profile covers the regional supply outlook; the issues below detail what's driving Independence's water future.
Jackson County water quality
Source: EPA SDWIS · 2026 Q1
At a glance
- Population ~117,255 (5th-largest in Missouri)
- Primary sources: Missouri River, Mississippi River, and Ozark aquifer
- Drought: abnormally dry to moderate conditions
- State reuse rate: ~4% of wastewater
Statewide drought history
% of Missouri in severe+ drought (Moderate (D1) now).
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Independence?
Independence's largest water system, INDEPENDENCE PWS, serves about 120,000 people. EPA records show 0 health-based violation(s) since 2016 and a most-recent 90th-percentile lead level of 1.1 ppb (EPA action level is 15 ppb). Always check your own provider's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
Where does Independence get its water?
INDEPENDENCE PWS draws primarily from groundwater (wells), part of Missouri's supply from Missouri River, Mississippi River, Ozark aquifer.
Related water issues
Aging Infrastructure
Much of America's water infrastructure is decades past its design life, leaking trillions of gallons a year and demanding hundreds of billions in reinvestment.
ExploreAgricultural Demand
Agriculture accounts for the majority of consumptive water use in the West, making farm efficiency and water markets central to any supply solution.
Explore