Water is one of Missouri’s most abundant and precious resources. Missouri is blessed with outstanding waterways — from spring-fed streams to man-made lakes to major navigational waters of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Groundwater hidden beneath Missouri's landscape is one of the state's most treasured and important natural resources. These various water sources provide us with water for drinking, cooking, irrigating crops, watering livestock, wildlife habitats, manufacturing, generating electricity and numerous recreational opportunities for our enjoyment.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is responsible for protecting the quality of Missouri's water resources. Wherever water travels—through the air, in the ground, across the land or through our bodies—it picks up and takes along valuable chemicals, minerals and nutrients. Some substances degrade the water's quality to the point where it is harmful to humans, aquatic life or the surrounding environment.
The department, along with many organizations throughout Missouri, samples and monitors the quality of Missouri's water. The department identifies water bodies not meeting water quality standards and develops plans to address the cause. Learn more about the condition of Missouri's water.
