Nitrate Contamination

Nitrate in Mississippi Drinking Water

Ranked by nitrate violation count · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

6.4 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

289

Health Violations

Analysis

Nitrate in Mississippi: what the data shows

Mississippi has 67 cities with nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL for nitrate is 10 mg/L (measured as nitrogen). The state has 67 cities with at least one nitrate violation. Nitrate is the most common groundwater contaminant in the United States. It enters water supplies primarily through agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural and agricultural communities face the highest risk. The primary acute health concern is methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome") in infants under six months. Emerging research also links chronic nitrate exposure to thyroid disease, certain cancers, and adverse birth outcomes. Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation can remove nitrate from drinking water — standard carbon filters do not.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 mg/L EPA MCL

Mississippi

100%

67 of 67 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

8001 of 8001 cities

City Map

Nitrate data across Mississippi

Each dot is a city with nitrate violation data. Cities with at least one nitrate-related violation are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by nitrate level in Mississippi

Highest Nitrate levels (violations)

All Cities

All Mississippi cities ranked by nitrate level

#	City	Level	Violations?	Violations	Grade
1	Starkville	25 violations	Yes	16	D
2	Crenshaw	19 violations	Yes	4	C+
3	Como	18 violations	Yes	9	D
4	Lambert	18 violations	Yes	15	D+
5	Mcneill	15 violations	Yes	5	D+
6	Choctaw	15 violations	Yes	4	C+
7	Leland	15 violations	Yes	14	D+
8	Utica	15 violations	Yes	5	D+
9	Terry	13 violations	Yes	44	D+
10	Oxford	12 violations	Yes	22	F
11	Clarksdale	12 violations	Yes	56	F
12	Morton	12 violations	Yes	23	D
13	Richton	9 violations	Yes	14	D+
14	Baldwyn	9 violations	Yes	5	D+
15	Belzoni	9 violations	Yes	9	D
16	Shannon	9 violations	Yes	11	D+
17	Star	9 violations	Yes	2	B
18	Maben	9 violations	Yes	7	C
19	Duck Hill	9 violations	Yes	0	D
20	Lena	7 violations	Yes	5	B-
21	Bolton	7 violations	Yes	36	D+
22	Meridian	6 violations	Yes	5	D+
23	Columbus	6 violations	Yes	15	D+
24	Tupelo	6 violations	Yes	19	D
25	Grenada	6 violations	Yes	38	F
26	Florence	6 violations	Yes	59	D+
27	Charleston	6 violations	Yes	34	D
28	Okolona	6 violations	Yes	9	D+
29	Port Gibson	6 violations	Yes	16	D
30	Hamilton	6 violations	Yes	2	B
31	West	6 violations	Yes	5	D+
32	Crawford	6 violations	Yes	10	C-
33	Shelby	6 violations	Yes	2	C+
34	Mclain	6 violations	Yes	2	D
35	Cary	6 violations	Yes	30	D+
36	Chunky	6 violations	Yes	0	B+
37	Tchula	4 violations	Yes	7	B-
38	Pace	4 violations	Yes	6	D+
39	Greenville	3 violations	Yes	46	D
40	Yazoo City	3 violations	Yes	8	D+
41	Magee	3 violations	Yes	4	D+
42	Pelahatchie	3 violations	Yes	14	D
43	Decatur	3 violations	Yes	6	C+
44	Magnolia	3 violations	Yes	5	D
45	Ethel	3 violations	Yes	4	D
46	Sandersville	3 violations	Yes	108	D+
47	Gloster	3 violations	Yes	1	B
48	Alcorn State	3 violations	Yes	1	A-
49	Sturgis	3 violations	Yes	4	D+
50	Mize	3 violations	Yes	1	B
51	Paulding	3 violations	Yes	2	B+
52	Renova	3 violations	Yes	2	B-
53	Anguilla	3 violations	Yes	68	D+
54	Sledge	3 violations	Yes	16	D+
55	Grand Junction	3 violations	Yes	0	A
56	Grand Junction	3 violations	Yes	0	A
57	Gattman	3 violations	Yes	4	B
58	Greenwood	1 violations	Yes	7	C
59	Lucedale	1 violations	Yes	4	D+
60	Diamondhead	1 violations	Yes	10	D
61	Walnut	1 violations	Yes	5	C
62	Weir	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
63	Edwards	1 violations	Yes	13	D+
64	Sunflower	1 violations	Yes	2	B
65	Louin	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
66	Oakland	1 violations	Yes	3	B
67	Mayersville	1 violations	Yes	19	C+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about nitrate in Mississippi

Is nitrate in Mississippi tap water dangerous?

Yes — 67 cities in Mississippi have nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL is 10 mg/L. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants under six months, where it can cause methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome"). Adults face lower acute risk, but chronic exposure is linked to thyroid disease and certain cancers.

How can I remove nitrate from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation are effective at removing nitrate. Standard carbon filters (including most pitcher and faucet-mount filters) do NOT remove nitrate. If you rely on a private well in an agricultural area, have your water tested annually for nitrate.

What causes high nitrate levels in Mississippi water?

Nitrate contamination comes primarily from agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural communities near intensive farming are most at risk. Shallow wells are particularly vulnerable. Heavy rainfall can spike nitrate levels as it washes fertilizer into groundwater and surface water supplies.

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