01The verdict: is New Hebron water safe?
New Hebron's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (69.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,586 residents using groundwater (wells).
Lead is over its legal limit
Measured at 26.9 ppb against the EPA Action Level of 15 ppb. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓3 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓New Hebron's drinking water received a grade of C+ (69.9 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,586 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 26.9 ppb (90th percentile), which exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 203 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 7 remain unresolved.
New Hebron ranks #166 out of 319 cities in Mississippi for water quality, placing it below average in the state. New Hebron 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. Lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb, which typically indicates aging lead service lines or lead solder in the distribution system. An NSF 53-certified filter is strongly recommended for drinking and cooking water. As a small community water system, New Hebron may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in New Hebron's water
Every contaminant flagged in New Hebron, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Exceeds the EPA action level. Lead enters at the service line, not the treatment plant — your address matters more than the city average. Lead service line replacement and an NSF 53-certified point-of-use filter are recommended.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. | 26.9 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Mississippi
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Mississippi
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03New Hebron's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 203 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 7 remain unresolved.
8 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 0.40 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 2.4 ppb (2023) — 16% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where New Hebron's water comes from
New Hebron's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
3 systems
3 water systems, operated under public/private ownership.
2,586 people
Residents served across New Hebron's service area.
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 2,586 people through 3 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CROOKED CREEK W/A - NORTH | MS0390007 | 1,100 | Groundwater |
| CROOKED CREEK W/A - SOUTH | MS0390008 | 1,100 | Groundwater |
| TOWN OF NEW HEBRON | MS0390004 | 386 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near New Hebron
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on New Hebron's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Lawrence County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How New Hebron compares
Scores for nearby Mississippi cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Mississippi average (54/100)
New Hebron scores 69.9/100 — above the Mississippi average of 54/100. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities. Full Mississippi rankings →
47.8 / 100DHattiesburg, MS
48.8 / 100DGulfport, MS
52 / 100DCanton, MS
50 / 100FOxford, MS
40.5 / 100BOlive Branch, MS
73 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in New Hebron's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter. Lead level (26.9 ppb) exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for New Hebron alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is New Hebron, MS tap water safe to drink?
New Hebron's water quality earned a grade of C+ (69.9/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #166 out of 319 cities tested in Mississippi.
What contaminants are in New Hebron's water?
Lead was measured at 26.9 ppb (90th percentile). 203 violations are on record.
How is New Hebron'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 New Hebron?
Yes — lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. We recommend an NSF 53-certified filter or reverse osmosis system. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Hebron's water come from?
New Hebron's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 2,586 residents.
What health violations has New Hebron's water system had?
New Hebron has 1 health-based violation 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. 7 violations remain unresolved.
Is New Hebron's groundwater at risk of contamination?
New Hebron 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 203 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 New Hebron's water compare to other cities?
New Hebron ranks #166 out of 319 cities in Mississippi (better than 48% of state cities) and #10684 out of 15382 cities nationally (31th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.