WaterVerge

Is Maben, MS Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded C, with 34 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 5 water systems PWSID: MS0530008
Overall Score
62.5 / 100
Violations
34 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#199 of 320 in Mississippi Top 76% nationally
Public/Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
CGRADE
Water Quality Grade
62.5/100
waterverge.com
C 62.5/100

Maben, MS — Water Quality Report

Maben's drinking water received a grade of C (62.5 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 3,027 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 427 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 34 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Maben's water

Maben ranks #199 out of 320 cities in Mississippi for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Maben 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.

As a small community water system, Maben may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 10 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
62.5 out of 100 Grade C
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
12.5/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Maben, MS water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Maben's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C (62.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 3,027 residents using groundwater (wells).

34
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
6 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Maben

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Maben's water quality assessment. Grade: C (62.5/100).

Violation
4 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

Violation
4 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE IDA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4626). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE IDA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3569). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Maben's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Maben's water system has 427 total violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 34 remain unresolved. 10 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherMONMCL
Most recent violations:
Jan 2024 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jan 2024 TTHM Resolved
Jan 2024 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jan 2024 TTHM Resolved
Jan 2023 TTHM Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Oktibbeha County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 2004. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

HURRICANE IDA
Hurricane FEMA DR-4626
HURRICANE IDA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3569
HURRICANE GUSTAV
Hurricane FEMA DR-3291

Where does Maben's water come from?

Maben's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 5 water systems serving approximately 3,027 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Maben residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Maben's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Maben's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

427
Total violations
7
Health-based
34
Active / unresolved
Jan 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

427 Total
34 Active
7 Health-based
393 Resolved
Violations by category
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
354
Consumer Confidence Rule
25
Total Coliform Rule
15
Nitrate Rule
9
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
8
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2012 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2010 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2008 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2008 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2008 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2008 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Aug 2008 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2008 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2007 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2007 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2006 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2006 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2006 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Showing 20 of 427 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Oktibbeha County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

4
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
8.3%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
4
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

6
Declared disasters
Oct 2021
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Oktibbeha County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 2004. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Oct 2021
HURRICANE IDA
Hurricane FEMA #4626
Aug 2021
HURRICANE IDA
Hurricane FEMA #3569
Aug 2008
HURRICANE GUSTAV
Hurricane FEMA #3291
Aug 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA #1604
Jul 2005
HURRICANE DENNIS
Hurricane FEMA #1594
Sep 2004
HURRICANE IVAN
Hurricane FEMA #1550

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 2.0 ppb from 1993 (2.0 ppb) to 2024 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Public/Private
Population Served
3,027
Water Systems
5
Source breakdown
Groundwater
4
Purchased Groundwater
1
Water Source

Where Maben's water comes from

Groundwater

Maben'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 public/private ownership and serves approximately 3,027 people through 5 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Maben

System Name PWSID Population Source
DOUBLE SPRINGS WATER ASSN MS0530008 797 GW
TOWN OF MABEN MS0530010 750 GW
CUMBERLAND WATER ASSN MS0780003 715 GW
CENTER GROVE W/A #1 MS0530005 535 GW
CENTER GROVE W/A #2 MS0530047 230 GWP
Regional Comparison

How Maben compares

Full Mississippi rankings →

Maben's score of 62.5/100 is above the average of 54/100 among major Mississippi cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Maben (this city)
62.5
Jackson
47.8
Canton
50
Oxford
40.5
Mississippi avg
54
City Profile

About Maben, MS

Wikipedia →

Maben is a town in Oktibbeha and Webster counties, Mississippi. As of the 2020 census, Maben had a population of 771.

Economic Profile
$28,472
Median Income
$73,387
Median Home Value
6.3%
Unemployment
Community
22.5
Median Age
204
People / sq mi
5.5%
College Educated
27.5%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Maben, MS tap water safe to drink?

Maben's water quality earned a grade of C (62.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #199 out of 320 cities tested in Mississippi.

What contaminants are in Maben's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 427 violations are on record.

How is Maben'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 Maben?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Maben's water come from?

Maben's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 5 water systems serving approximately 3,027 residents.

What health violations has Maben's water system had?

Maben has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 34 violations remain unresolved.

Is Maben's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Maben 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 427 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 Maben's water compare to other cities?

Maben ranks #199 out of 320 cities in Mississippi (better than 38% of state cities) and #11870 out of 15744 cities nationally (25th percentile). The grade of C reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.