Lithium Contamination

Lithium in Mississippi Drinking Water

Ranked by max lithium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 5 data (2023–2025) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

106

Cities Tested

106

Detected

100%

% Detected

26.3 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

289

Health Violations

Analysis

Lithium in Mississippi: what the data shows

Mississippi has 106 cities with lithium data from the EPA's UCMR 5 program (2023–2025). Lithium was detected in 106 of those cities. There is currently no federal MCL or health advisory for lithium — the state average max detected level is 26.3 µg/L. Nationally, lithium is detected in roughly 28% of sampled water systems. Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in arid western states, and is concentrated in some surface waters near industrial discharge or geothermal sources. UCMR 5 added lithium monitoring in 2023, providing the first systematic national snapshot of public-water lithium levels. At therapeutic doses (administered as a medication), lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. Chronic low-dose exposure from drinking water has been associated in some studies with effects on thyroid function and possibly mood. The most protective state guidance value is around 60 µg/L. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange are effective removal methods.

Comparison

Cities exceeding No federal MCL or HA

Mississippi

100%

106 of 106 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

2808 of 2808 cities

City Map

Lithium data across Mississippi

Each dot is a city with UCMR 5 lithium testing data. Detected cities are shown — there is no federal limit, though some states use 60 µg/L as a screening level. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lithium level in Mississippi

Highest Lithium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Mississippi cities ranked by lithium level

#	City	Level	Detected?	Violations	Grade
1	Corinth	280.0 µg/L	Detected	9	D
2	New Albany	190.0 µg/L	Detected	2	D+
3	Pontotoc	99.0 µg/L	Detected	22	D+
4	Saltillo	83.8 µg/L	Detected	26	D+
5	Washington	69.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
6	Booneville	62.0 µg/L	Detected	9	D+
7	Guntown	53.0 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
8	Wheeler	52.6 µg/L	Detected	4	B+
9	Fayette	44.0 µg/L	Detected	22	C
10	Port Gibson	43.0 µg/L	Detected	16	D
11	Derma	42.2 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
12	Leland	42.0 µg/L	Detected	14	D+
13	Madison	39.1 µg/L	Detected	2	B
14	Biloxi	38.3 µg/L	Detected	10	D
15	Byhalia	37.8 µg/L	Detected	5	C+
16	Canton	37.6 µg/L	Detected	45	D
17	Algoma	37.5 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
18	Bay Springs	35.5 µg/L	Detected	4	D
19	Calhoun City	35.0 µg/L	Detected	18	D+
20	Randolph	34.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
21	Greenville	33.8 µg/L	Detected	46	D
22	Clarksdale	32.6 µg/L	Detected	56	F
23	Pelahatchie	32.3 µg/L	Detected	14	D
24	Morton	30.0 µg/L	Detected	23	D
25	Renova	29.8 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
26	Ridgeland	28.7 µg/L	Detected	21	D+
27	Clinton	28.1 µg/L	Detected	12	B
28	Flowood	26.9 µg/L	Detected	3	B+
29	Stringer	26.6 µg/L	Detected	1	A
30	Brandon	26.0 µg/L	Detected	27	D+
31	Natchez	26.0 µg/L	Detected	11	B+
32	Cleveland	25.0 µg/L	Detected	13	B
33	Waynesboro	25.0 µg/L	Detected	72	D+
34	Gautier	24.8 µg/L	Detected	4	A-
35	Shannon	24.8 µg/L	Detected	11	D+
36	Eupora	24.0 µg/L	Detected	5	D+
37	Walnut	24.0 µg/L	Detected	5	C
38	Grenada	23.0 µg/L	Detected	38	F
39	Magee	22.4 µg/L	Detected	4	D+
40	Starkville	22.3 µg/L	Detected	16	D
41	Vicksburg	22.0 µg/L	Detected	53	D
42	Mccomb	22.0 µg/L	Detected	19	D
43	Pass Christian	21.5 µg/L	Detected	3	B
44	Enid	20.0 µg/L	Detected	5	B+
45	Purvis	18.0 µg/L	Detected	2	B
46	Toomsuba	18.0 µg/L	Detected	4	B
47	Union	18.0 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
48	Bailey	17.6 µg/L	Detected	5	A
49	Tremont	17.2 µg/L	Detected	1	C+
50	Philadelphia	17.0 µg/L	Detected	6	C-
51	Louisville	17.0 µg/L	Detected	2	D+
52	Newton	16.4 µg/L	Detected	1	C+
53	Flora	16.3 µg/L	Detected	43	D+
54	Meridian	16.0 µg/L	Detected	5	D+
55	Pascagoula	16.0 µg/L	Detected	9	D
56	Belzoni	16.0 µg/L	Detected	9	D
57	Gulfport	15.9 µg/L	Detected	8	D+
58	Ripley	15.8 µg/L	Detected	5	D+
59	Long Beach	15.7 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
60	Mooreville	15.6 µg/L	Detected	4	D+
61	Bay St Louis	15.4 µg/L	Detected	8	C+
62	Raymond	15.1 µg/L	Detected	54	D+
63	Lumberton	15.0 µg/L	Detected	3	D+
64	Indianola	15.0 µg/L	Detected	11	C+
65	Waveland	15.0 µg/L	Detected	2	C+
66	Ocean Springs	14.8 µg/L	Detected	4	D+
67	Whitfield	14.6 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
68	Laurel	14.5 µg/L	Detected	5	D+
69	Wiggins	14.0 µg/L	Detected	4	D+
70	West Point	13.8 µg/L	Detected	4	D
71	Mount Olive	13.6 µg/L	Detected	2	C
72	Diamondhead	13.6 µg/L	Detected	10	D
73	Houston	13.4 µg/L	Detected	6	D
74	Buckatunna	13.4 µg/L	Detected	3	C+
75	Florence	13.3 µg/L	Detected	59	D+
76	Greenwood	13.0 µg/L	Detected	7	C
77	Seminary	13.0 µg/L	Detected	1	C
78	Mississippi State	12.5 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
79	Macon	12.4 µg/L	Detected	4	C
80	Forest	12.0 µg/L	Detected	47	D+
81	Richland	12.0 µg/L	Detected	4	B
82	Stennis Space Center	12.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
83	Mcneill	11.8 µg/L	Detected	5	D+
84	Columbus	11.7 µg/L	Detected	15	D+
85	Pearl	11.1 µg/L	Detected	5	C
86	Brookhaven	11.1 µg/L	Detected	6	D+
87	Columbia	11.0 µg/L	Detected	17	D
88	Quitman	11.0 µg/L	Detected	9	D+
89	Summit	11.0 µg/L	Detected	10	C
90	Batesville	10.7 µg/L	Detected	16	D
91	Columbus Afb	10.6 µg/L	Detected	5	A
92	Hattiesburg	10.5 µg/L	Detected	25	D
93	Kosciusko	10.5 µg/L	Detected	2	C
94	Moselle	10.0 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
95	Ruth	9.9 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
96	Hamilton	9.9 µg/L	Detected	2	B
97	Sebastopol	9.9 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
98	Walls	9.6 µg/L	Detected	0	B
99	Union Church	9.4 µg/L	Detected	5	B-
100	Kiln	9.3 µg/L	Detected	19	D
101	Aberdeen	9.3 µg/L	Detected	1	D+
102	Tutwiler	9.3 µg/L	Detected	99	D
103	Ellisville	9.3 µg/L	Detected	4	D+
104	Sardis	9.2 µg/L	Detected	2	C+
105	Sandersville	9.2 µg/L	Detected	108	D+
106	Crystal Springs	9.0 µg/L	Detected	12	C-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lithium in Mississippi

Is lithium in Mississippi tap water harmful?

Lithium has no federal MCL or health advisory. Some state agencies use 60 µg/L as a screening level. 106 cities in Mississippi had detectable lithium in UCMR 5 testing. Therapeutic lithium doses (used to treat bipolar disorder) are far higher than typical drinking-water levels, but chronic low-level exposure has been studied for potential thyroid and mood effects.

Where does lithium in tap water come from?

Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, especially in arid western states with lithium-bearing geology (parts of Nevada, California, North Carolina, Texas). It can also enter water from industrial sources such as battery manufacturing, ceramics, and lithium-mining wastewater. Geothermal hot springs are another natural source.

How can I remove lithium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis is highly effective at removing lithium, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Ion exchange systems and distillation also work well. Standard activated carbon filters are NOT effective against lithium. If you rely on a private well in a lithium-rich geological area, consider testing.

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