Is Charleston, MS Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 77 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
47.5/100
waterverge.com Charleston, MS — Water Quality Report
Charleston's drinking water received a grade of D (47.5 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 9 water systems serve approximately 6,718 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.6 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 729 violations on record, including 34 health-based violations. 77 remain unresolved.
What to know about Charleston's water
Charleston ranks #303 out of 320 cities in Mississippi for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
Charleston relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
The system has seen 108 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Charleston, MS water safe to drink?
Charleston's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (47.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 9 water systems serve approximately 6,718 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Charleston
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Charleston's water quality assessment. Grade: D (47.5/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.
4 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3569). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4081). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Charleston's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Charleston's water system has 729 total violations on record, including 34 health-based violations. 77 remain unresolved. 108 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Mississippi County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2012. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Charleston's water come from?
Charleston's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 9 water systems serving approximately 6,718 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Charleston residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Charleston's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Charleston
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Charleston, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
AJINOMOTO FOODS N.A. INC OAKLAND, MS38948 | — | — | 9.6 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D4 — exceptional droughtQuitman County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 9.1% of the county is in D4 (exceptional) drought. Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Mississippi County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2012. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.6 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Charleston compares by contaminant
Explore where Charleston ranks among all Mississippi cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Charleston's water comes from
Charleston's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 6,718 people through 9 water systems.
Water systems serving Charleston
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLESTON UTILITIES | MS0680002 | 3,100 | GW |
| BLUE CANE, COWART & TIPPO W/A. | MS0680037 | 1,191 | GW |
| CASCILLA WATER ASSOCIATION | MS0680001 | 837 | GW |
| PAYNES WATER ASSOCIATION | MS0680008 | 531 | GW |
| SOUTH QUITMAN-S LAMBERT UTL | MS0600010 | 528 | GW |
| EAST CHARLESTON WATER ASSN | MS0680004 | 211 | GWP |
| SOUTH QUITMAN-WEST CROWDER | MS0600018 | 185 | GWP |
| SOUTH QUITMAN-SOUTH TUTWILER | MS0680035 | 95 | GWP |
| SOUTH QUITMAN-EAST TUTWILER | MS0680034 | 40 | GWP |
How Charleston compares
Full Mississippi rankings →Charleston's score of 47.5/100 is below the average of 54/100 among major Mississippi cities. It outscores 1 of 10 nearby cities. 9 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Mississippi rankings →About Charleston, MS
Wikipedia →Charleston is a city in north central Mississippi and one of the two county seats of Tallahatchie County, which is located on both sides of the Tallahatchie River. This city is located east of the river and, as of the 2020 census, had a population of 1,884.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Charleston's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Tallahatchie
Frequently asked questions
Is Charleston, MS tap water safe to drink?
Charleston's water quality earned a grade of D (47.5/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #303 out of 320 cities tested in Mississippi.
What contaminants are in Charleston's water?
Lead was measured at 1.6 ppb (90th percentile). 729 violations are on record.
How is Charleston's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Charleston?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Charleston's water come from?
Charleston's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 9 water systems serving approximately 6,718 residents.
What health violations has Charleston's water system had?
Charleston has 34 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 77 violations remain unresolved.
Is Charleston's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Charleston uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 729 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Charleston's water compare to other cities?
Charleston ranks #303 out of 320 cities in Mississippi (better than 5% of state cities) and #13596 out of 15744 cities nationally (14th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.