WaterVerge

Is Pheba, MS Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: MS0130003
Overall Score
83.1 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#72 of 320 in Mississippi Top 42% nationally
Public/Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
83.1/100
waterverge.com
B+ 83.1/100

Pheba, MS — Water Quality Report

Pheba's drinking water received a grade of B+ (83.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,911 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.9 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 220 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Pheba's water

Pheba ranks #72 out of 320 cities in Mississippi for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

Pheba 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, Pheba may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
83.1 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
31.1/45
C
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.9 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Pheba, MS water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Pheba's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of B+ (83.1/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,911 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
0.9 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
7 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Pheba

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Pheba's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (83.1/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

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.

Violation
9 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Combined Uranium, Radium-226, Radium-228.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.9 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Pheba's water system has 220 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROther
Most recent violations:
Jan 2024 TTHM Resolved
Jan 2024 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jan 2023 TTHM Resolved
Jan 2023 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Oct 2012 Combined Uranium Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Clay County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1991. 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 Pheba's water come from?

Pheba's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,911 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Pheba residents can do

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

Pheba'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
0.9 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 6% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

220
Total violations
0
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Jan 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

220 Total
2 Active
0 Health-based
218 Resolved
Violations by category
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
210
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
4
Miscellaneous Other Rules
3
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
1
Total Coliform Rule
1
Oct 2008 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Jan 2024 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Jan 2023 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Jan 2023 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Oct 2012 Resolved
Combined Uranium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2012
Oct 2012 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2012
Oct 2012 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2012
Oct 2012 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2012
Oct 2012 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2012
Oct 2012 Resolved
Combined Uranium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2012
Oct 2012 Resolved
Combined Uranium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2012
Oct 2012 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2012
Oct 2012 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2012
Jul 2012 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2012
Jul 2012 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2012
Jul 2012 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2012
Jul 2012 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2012
Jul 2012 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2012
Showing 20 of 220 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Clay County is currently in D2 (severe 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.

3
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
9.2%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
3
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

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

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

7
Declared disasters
Oct 2021
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Clay County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1991. 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) 0.9 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 3.1 ppb from 1993 (4.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.9 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Public/Private
Population Served
1,911
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Pheba's water comes from

Groundwater

Pheba'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 1,911 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Pheba

System Name PWSID Population Source
SUN CREEK WATER INC-PHEBA MS0130003 1,911 GW
Regional Comparison

How Pheba compares

Full Mississippi rankings →

Pheba's score of 83.1/100 is above the average of 54/100 among major Mississippi cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Pheba (this city)
83.1
Jackson
47.8
Canton
50
Oxford
40.5
Mississippi avg
54
City Profile

About Pheba, MS

Wikipedia →

Pheba (FEE-bee) is a census-designated place and unincorporated community located in Clay County, Mississippi, United States. Pheba is located at the intersection of Mississippi Highway 50 and Mississippi Highway 389 and is approximately 7 miles (11 km) west of Cedarbluff.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Pheba, MS tap water safe to drink?

Pheba's water quality earned a grade of B+ (83.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #72 out of 320 cities tested in Mississippi.

What contaminants are in Pheba's water?

Lead was measured at 0.9 ppb (90th percentile). 220 violations are on record.

How is Pheba'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 Pheba?

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

Where does Pheba's water come from?

Pheba's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,911 residents.

Is Pheba's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Pheba 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 220 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 Pheba's water compare to other cities?

Pheba ranks #72 out of 320 cities in Mississippi (better than 78% of state cities) and #6598 out of 15744 cities nationally (58th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Pheba's small water system affect quality?

Pheba's system serves approximately 1,911 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 220 violations on record.