WaterVerge

Is Scobey, MS Tap Water Safe to Drink?

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

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: MS0810009
Overall Score
89.5 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#18 of 320 in Mississippi Top 18% nationally
Public/Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
89.5/100
waterverge.com
A- 89.5/100

Scobey, MS — Water Quality Report

Scobey's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,200 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.6 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 145 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 Scobey's water

Scobey ranks #18 out of 320 cities in Mississippi for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
89.5 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
37.5/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.6 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 Scobey, MS water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Scobey's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (89.5/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,200 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
0.6 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
5 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Scobey

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Scobey's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.5/100).

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
4 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Radium-228, Radium-226.

Violation
6 drinking water violations recorded

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

Violation
4 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Radium-228, Radium-226.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.6 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Scobey's water system has 145 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

MROther
Most recent violations:
Jul 2012 Radium-228 Resolved
Jul 2012 Radium-226 Resolved
Jul 2012 Radium-228 Resolved
Jul 2012 Radium-226 Resolved
Apr 2012 Combined Uranium Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Yalobusha County has experienced 5 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 Scobey's water come from?

Scobey's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,200 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Scobey 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

Scobey'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
0.6 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 4% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

145
Total violations
0
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Jul 2012
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

145 Total
2 Active
0 Health-based
143 Resolved
Violations by category
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
134
Miscellaneous Other Rules
8
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
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
Apr 2012 Resolved
Combined Uranium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2012
Apr 2012 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2012
Apr 2012 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2012
Apr 2012 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2012
Apr 2012 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2012
Apr 2012 Resolved
Combined Uranium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2012
Jan 2012 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2012
Jan 2012 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2012
Jan 2012 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2012
Jan 2012 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2012
Oct 2011 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2011
Oct 2011 Resolved
Combined Uranium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2011
Oct 2011 Resolved
Combined Uranium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2011
Oct 2011 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2011
Showing 20 of 145 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D4 — exceptional drought

Yalobusha County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 2.2% 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.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
7.4%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

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

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

5
Declared disasters
Oct 2021
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Yalobusha County has experienced 5 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
Mar 1991
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #895

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.6 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 2.4 ppb from 1993 (3.0 ppb) to 2023 (0.6 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Public/Private
Population Served
1,200
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Scobey's water comes from

Groundwater

Scobey'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 1,200 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Scobey

System Name PWSID Population Source
TILLATOBA WATER ASSOCIATION MS0810009 1,200 GW
Regional Comparison

How Scobey compares

Full Mississippi rankings →

Scobey's score of 89.5/100 is above the average of 54/100 among major Mississippi cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Scobey (this city)
89.5
Jackson
47.8
Canton
50
Oxford
40.5
Mississippi avg
54
City Profile

About Scobey, MS

Wikipedia →

Scobey is an unincorporated community located in Yalobusha County, Mississippi, United States, approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of Tillatoba and 13 miles (21 km) north of Grenada.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Scobey, MS tap water safe to drink?

Scobey's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #18 out of 320 cities tested in Mississippi.

What contaminants are in Scobey's water?

Lead was measured at 0.6 ppb (90th percentile). 145 violations are on record.

How is Scobey'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 Scobey?

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

Where does Scobey's water come from?

Scobey's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,200 residents.

Is Scobey's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Scobey 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 145 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 Scobey's water compare to other cities?

Scobey ranks #18 out of 320 cities in Mississippi (better than 94% of state cities) and #2803 out of 15744 cities nationally (82th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Scobey's small water system affect quality?

Scobey's system serves approximately 1,200 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 145 violations on record.