01The verdict: is North Carrollton water safe?
North Carrollton's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,392 residents using groundwater (wells).
12 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.8 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
6 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓North Carrollton's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,392 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 0.8 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 236 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved.
North Carrollton ranks #86 out of 319 cities in Mississippi for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. North Carrollton 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, North Carrollton may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in North Carrollton's water
Every contaminant flagged in North Carrollton, 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.
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. | 0.8 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
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
03North Carrollton'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 236 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved.
9 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.
▼ Down 2.2 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 0.80 ppb (2025) — 5% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where North Carrollton's water comes from
North Carrollton'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.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
2,392 people
Residents served across North Carrollton'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 2,392 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOWN OF NORTH CARROLLTON | MS0080006 | 2,392 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on North Carrollton'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
6 federal disaster declarations on record for Carroll County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Carroll County is in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How North Carrollton compares
Scores for nearby Mississippi cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Mississippi average (54/100)
North Carrollton scores 81.4/100 — above the Mississippi average of 54/100. It outscores 10 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 North Carrollton's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
North Carrollton's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for North Carrollton 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 North Carrollton, MS tap water safe to drink?
North Carrollton's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #86 out of 319 cities tested in Mississippi.
What contaminants are in North Carrollton's water?
Lead was measured at 0.8 ppb (90th percentile). 236 violations are on record.
How is North Carrollton'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 North Carrollton?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does North Carrollton's water come from?
North Carrollton's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,392 residents.
What health violations has North Carrollton's water system had?
North Carrollton has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2020. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 12 violations remain unresolved.
Is North Carrollton's groundwater at risk of contamination?
North Carrollton 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 236 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 North Carrollton's water compare to other cities?
North Carrollton ranks #86 out of 319 cities in Mississippi (better than 73% of state cities) and #7384 out of 15382 cities nationally (52th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does North Carrollton's small water system affect quality?
North Carrollton's system serves approximately 2,392 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 236 violations on record.