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Mississippi Water Quality Report

320 cities tested · Average grade: C+ · 3.2M people served

Cities Tested
320
Avg Score
68.7
Population Served
3.2M
Avg Grade
C+
Live Water Alerts for Mississippi →
Latest News

Latest water news in Mississippi

Recent reporting on Mississippi drinking water — boil-water advisories, regulatory action, and infrastructure events.

Mar 14, 2026

Jackson, Mississippi's Water Crisis: From Collapse to Compliance — and the Fights That Remain

Jackson's water system achieved compliance in 2025 after years of failure. But rate hikes, governance battles, and a transition deadline are shaping what comes next.

Read full story →
Analysis

Mississippi water quality overview

Mississippi's drinking water quality is fair overall, with an average score of 68.7 out of 100 across 320 cities tested. The median score is 72, serving a total population of 3,180,425 residents. 33% of cities scored a D or F, pointing to significant water quality challenges in parts of the state. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in 109 of 320 cities tested (34%). 6 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. 1 city has lead levels exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb, often indicating aging infrastructure with lead service lines or lead solder. The state relies on a mix of water sources: 313 cities use groundwater while 7 draw from surface water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Concerns

Issues to watch in Mississippi

109 cities
PFAS Detected
34% of tested cities have PFAS in their water supply.
1 cities
Lead Exceedances
Lead levels above the EPA action level of 15 ppb (90th percentile).
289 cities
Health Violations
129,726 total violations recorded, 320 with unresolved issues.
3 cities
Failing Systems
Received a grade of F, indicating serious water quality issues.
Contaminant Data

Explore contaminants in Mississippi

Lead in Mississippi → Ranked by 90th percentile level (ppb) PFAS in Mississippi → Ranked by compounds detected Copper in Mississippi → Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)

More contaminants tested in Mississippi

HAA5 → Chromium-6 → Arsenic → Nitrate → Strontium → 1,4-Dioxane → Manganese → Vanadium → Chlorate → Molybdenum → Cobalt → Lithium → NDMA → Perchlorate →
State context
9
Superfund sites in Mississippi
EPA National Priorities List
61.1%
of Mississippi residents on fluoridated water
CDC, 2020
9,402,155
lbs released to surface water
Top 10 TRI facilities, 2023
7.3%
of Mississippi domestic wells exceed EPA arsenic limit
USGS, 109 samples · 10 µg/L MCL
Domestic well chemistry

Private-well water in Mississippi

Based on USGS Powell Domestic-Well Database — 3,292 private wells sampled across Mississippi. These wells are not regulated by the EPA; if you draw your tap from a private well, the public-system grade above does not apply to you.

0.6 µg/L
Median arsenic in domestic wells
P90 6.8 µg/L · max 103.0 µg/L
30 µg/L
Median manganese in domestic wells
26.9% exceed 300 µg/L aesthetic limit
Industrial pollution

Top industrial water polluters in Mississippi

Industrial polluters nearby

The 10 facilities reporting the most pounds released to surface water in Mississippi, 2023.

Total reported releases to surface water: 9,402,155 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)
TYSON FARMS INC. - CARTHAGE MS PROCESSING PLANT
Food · TYSON FOODS INC
CARTHAGE, MS39051
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)1,827,985
CHEVRON PRODUCTS CO PASCAGOULA REFINERY
Petroleum · CHEVRON CORP
PASCAGOULA, MS39581
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)1,469,876
SANDERSON FARMS LLC
Food · SANDERSON FARMS LLC
SUMMIT, MS39666
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)1,147,130
SANDERSON FARMS LLC
Food · SANDERSON FARMS LLC
COLLINS, MS39428
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)1,092,250
SOUTHERN HENS INC.
Food · NA
MOSELLE, MS39459
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)1,016,160

+ 5 more facilities

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Test your own tap

Get your Mississippi water tested

City-level data shows the source and infrastructure picture — but lead and other home-plumbing issues only show up at your tap. Find a state-certified lab, see what to test for, and what it costs.
Grade Distribution

How Mississippi cities scored

A: 53 B: 112 C: 50 D: 102 F: 3

Best Cities

  1. A Jayess 94
  2. A Grand Junction 93.1
  3. A Grand Junction 93.1

Worst Cities

  1. F Oxford 40.5
  2. F Grenada 44.5
  3. F Clarksdale 44.6
City Map

Water quality across Mississippi

Each dot is a city, colored by its water quality grade. Size reflects population served. Click any city to view its full water report.

All Cities

320 cities in Mississippi

Full rankings →
# City Grade Score Population Violations
1 Jayess A
94
3K 74
2 Grand Junction A
93.1
1K 73
3 Grand Junction A
93.1
1K 73
4 Golden A
93
2K 71
5 Sumrall A
92.1
2K 81
6 Stennis Space Center A
92
5K 79
7 Mendenhall A
92
3K 83
8 Columbus Afb A
91.2
3K 11
9 Sandy Hook A
91.2
3K 82
10 Mchenry A
90.8
2K 109
11 Vaughan A
90.8
1K 71
12 Tishomingo A
90.6
818 73
13 Bailey A
90.5
11K 95
14 Taylor A
90.4
2K 77
15 Stringer A
90.3
4K 125
16 Soso A
90.2
2K 75
17 Durant A
90
3K 73
18 Scobey A-
89.5
1K 145
19 Sherman A-
89.5
847 140
20 Belmont A-
89.3
2K 70
21 Randolph A-
89.2
1K 149
22 Louise A-
89.2
870 143
23 Little Rock A-
88.8
2K 99
24 New Site A-
88.6
1K 86
25 Union A-
88.5
3K 73
26 Tiplersville A-
88.5
1K 141
27 Beaumont A-
88
1K 122
28 Stewart A-
88
668 121
29 Ruth A-
87.8
5K 147
30 Caledonia A-
87.7
7K 146
31 Pearlington A-
87.5
1K 66
32 Holly Springs A-
87.4
10K 77
33 Derma A-
87.3
957 183
34 Gautier A-
87.2
22K 168
35 Rose Hill A-
87.1
1K 140
36 Bogue Chitto A-
86.8
2K 146
37 Stonewall A-
86.8
879 115
38 Mantee A-
86.8
770 185
39 Leakesville A-
86.7
3K 147
40 Pickens A-
86.6
2K 146
41 Collinsville A-
86.5
3K 163
42 Bude A-
86.5
780 84
43 Carriere A-
86.3
6K 268
44 Alcorn State A-
86.3
3K 93
45 Long Beach A-
86.2
19K 194
46 Pachuta A-
86
685 126
47 Glen Allan A-
86
649 80
48 Sandhill A-
85.9
3K 166
49 D'Lo A-
85.9
510 169
50 Arcola A-
85.8
546 168
51 Marietta A-
85.6
781 141
52 Weir A-
85.1
2K 151
53 Hazlehurst A-
85
4K 215
54 Burnsville B+
84.8
4K 147
55 Hillsboro B+
84.8
2K 230
56 Pattison B+
84.6
3K 81
57 Shaw B+
84.5
2K 116
58 Mccarley B+
84.1
660 189
59 Scooba B+
84
744 224
60 Sidon B+
84
612 175
61 Pittsboro B+
83.9
1K 154
62 Shubuta B+
83.9
762 148
63 Natchez B+
83.8
16K 110
64 Enid B+
83.8
3K 162
65 Moorhead B+
83.8
2K 224
66 Vaiden B+
83.6
2K 161
67 Tougaloo B+
83.6
534 157
68 Chunky B+
83.5
507 80
69 Marion B+
83.4
2K 77
70 Sumner B+
83.4
807 149
71 Walnut Grove B+
83.2
510 227
72 Pheba B+
83.1
2K 220
73 Mississippi State B+
83
15K 173
74 Wheeler B+
83
4K 288
75 Hollandale B+
82.9
2K 89
76 Mantachie B+
82.8
4K 20
77 Saucier B+
82.6
2K 144
78 Guntown B+
82.5
4K 225
79 Lake B+
82.4
500 257
80 Tylertown B+
82.3
16K 325
81 New Augusta B+
82.3
570 95
82 Poplarville B+
82.2
4K 290
83 Noxapater B+
81.9
4K 277
84 Ruleville B+
81.9
3K 155
85 Mccool B+
81.8
652 155
86 North Carrollton B+
81.4
2K 236
87 Centreville B+
81.3
3K 230
88 Isola B+
81.1
700 252
89 Hickory B+
81
3K 164
90 Paulding B+
80.9
1K 224
91 Greenwood Springs B+
80.8
2K 154
92 Rienzi B+
80.5
3K 242
93 Crosby B+
80.5
994 104
94 Flowood B+
80.3
32K 304
95 Whitfield B+
80.2
5K 251
96 State Line B+
80.2
2K 227
97 Louin B+
80.2
1K 287
98 Myrtle B+
80.1
4K 290
99 Shuqualak B+
80.1
1K 218
100 Toomsuba B
80
6K 265
101 Perkinston B+
80
2K 279
102 Walls B
79.8
12K 224
103 Enterprise B
79.6
1K 158
104 Southaven B
79.5
56K 136
105 Blue Mountain B
79.5
3K 148
106 Dekalb B
79.4
4K 154
107 Liberty B
79.2
4K 152
108 Rosedale B
79.1
2K 92
109 Verona B
79
3K 301
110 Richland B
78.9
7K 262
111 Cleveland B
78.7
18K 185
112 Blue Springs B
78.6
3K 319
113 Carrollton B
78.6
1K 224
114 Ecru B
78.5
2K 229
115 Madison B
78.3
17K 170
116 Horn Lake B
78.2
29K 239
117 Harrisville B
78.2
2K 339
118 Moss Point B
78.1
13K 148
119 Bassfield B
77.9
4K 165
120 Philipp B
77.8
518 90
121 Kokomo B
77.6
2K 90
122 Etta B
77.6
581 152
123 Fulton B
77.5
12K 19
124 Heidelberg B
77.3
3K 363
125 Sunflower B
77.3
2K 194
126 Gloster B
77.1
3K 162
127 Clinton B
77
25K 244
128 Braxton B
77
800 260
129 Oakland B
77
579 224
130 Hamilton B
76.8
4K 196
131 Brooksville B
76.6
3K 222
132 Jonestown B
76.5
968 208
133 Dumas B
76.3
3K 227
134 Clara B
76.3
2K 143
135 Mt Olive B
76.2
4K 180
136 Foxworth B
76.2
2K 298
137 Mize B
76.1
1K 289
138 Purvis B
76
10K 267
139 Lorman B
76
2K 301
140 Merigold B
75.8
1K 221
141 Gattman B
75.6
790 105
142 Potts Camp B
75.4
1K 166
143 Pinola B
75.3
5K 434
144 Pass Christian B
75.2
13K 275
145 Star B
75
4K 377
146 Mathiston B-
74.5
3K 308
147 Washington B-
74
16K 471
148 Union Church B-
74
1K 130
149 Algoma B-
73.8
7K 283
150 Sebastopol B-
73.8
6K 423
151 Pope B-
73.8
911 152
152 Moselle B-
73.7
10K 395
153 Inverness B-
73.4
2K 193
154 Falkner B-
73.2
3K 410
155 Ashland B-
73.1
3K 244
156 Olive Branch B-
73
64K 230
157 Plantersville B-
72.8
4K 456
158 Renova B-
72.7
1K 154
159 Tchula B-
72.6
3K 285
160 Mound Bayou B-
72.5
2K 182
161 Puckett B-
72
4K 473
162 Lena B-
72
3K 389
163 Preston B-
71.7
5K 291
164 Courtland B-
71.7
4K 299
165 Porterville B-
70.4
3K 279
166 New Hebron C+
69.9
3K 203
167 Amory C+
69.6
17K 368
168 Wesson C+
69.5
2K 81
169 Choctaw C+
69.3
16K 402
170 Buckatunna C+
69.2
5K 435
171 Ackerman C+
69.1
4K 177
172 Kilmichael C+
69.1
3K 307
173 Shelby C+
67.9
2K 205
174 Indianola C+
67.8
9K 207
175 Sallis C+
67.4
3K 391
176 Bay St Louis C+
67.3
12K 202
177 Mayersville C+
67.3
549 257
178 Tremont C+
66.7
6K 227
179 Hickory Flat C+
66.7
2K 431
180 Newton C+
66.2
6K 373
181 Iuka C+
65.9
15K 336
182 Waveland C+
65.7
6K 361
183 Benton C+
65.6
2K 259
184 D'Iberville C+
65.4
13K 380
185 Decatur C+
65.3
7K 298
186 Sardis C+
65.2
6K 539
187 Byhalia C+
65
9K 387
188 Walnut C
65
4K 522
189 Crenshaw C+
65
800 269
190 Schlater C
64.9
793 301
191 Crowder C
64.9
682 141
192 Monticello C
64.5
5K 448
193 Seminary C
64.5
5K 457
194 Greenwood C
64.2
27K 488
195 Abbeville C
63.6
2K 345
196 Macon C
63.5
6K 264
197 Nesbit C
62.7
9K 271
198 Tunica C
62.5
11K 552
199 Maben C
62.5
3K 427
200 Metcalfe C
62
1K 196
201 Fayette C
61
5K 293
202 Mount Olive C
60.9
13K 511
203 Goodman C
60.9
2K 307
204 Pearl C
60.5
33K 453
205 Kosciusko C
60.5
15K 569
206 Summit C
60.1
7K 385
207 Collins C
60
5K 459
208 Friars Point C-
59.7
858 178
209 Itta Bena C-
59.4
5K 346
210 Houlka C-
59.3
4K 430
211 Taylorsville C-
58
7K 451
212 Philadelphia C-
56.9
24K 456
213 Crawford C-
56.5
2K 342
214 Bruce C-
56.2
8K 590
215 Crystal Springs C-
55.9
14K 596
216 West D+
54.7
3K 524
217 Lambert D+
54.4
2K 291
218 Shannon D+
54.3
6K 402
219 Lucedale D+
54
17K 786
220 Nettleton D+
53.8
10K 740
221 Webb D+
53.5
1K 286
222 Ocean Springs D+
53.2
55K 1356
223 Pontotoc D+
53.2
27K 1437
224 Brookhaven D+
53.2
26K 669
225 Ripley D+
53.2
14K 821
226 Flora D+
53.2
12K 812
227 Quitman D+
53.2
12K 858
228 Mooreville D+
53
10K 878
229 Water Valley D+
53
10K 819
230 Prentiss D+
53
10K 540
231 Edwards D+
53
2K 248
232 Laurel D+
52.9
43K 1876
233 Brandon D+
52.8
56K 1799
234 Woodville D+
52.7
8K 650
235 New Albany D+
52.6
17K 1025
236 Picayune D+
52.5
19K 520
237 Aberdeen D+
52.5
8K 741
238 Brooklyn D+
52.3
829 551
239 Gulfport D+
52
84K 868
240 Raymond D+
52
15K 360
241 Raleigh D+
52
6K 906
242 Okolona D+
52
6K 766
243 Coffeeville D+
52
4K 728
244 Terry D+
52
3K 609
245 Bolton D+
52
2K 779
246 Hermanville D+
52
1K 353
247 Anguilla D+
52
1K 327
248 Forest D+
51.8
18K 1567
249 Yazoo City D+
51.5
21K 1168
250 Saltillo D+
51.5
18K 1229
251 Magee D+
51.5
11K 570
252 Lexington D+
51.5
10K 1149
253 Marks D+
51.5
5K 482
254 Hernando D+
51.4
30K 315
255 Waynesboro D+
51.2
13K 857
256 Wiggins D+
51.2
12K 838
257 Lumberton D+
51.2
10K 512
258 Leland D+
51.2
8K 704
259 Baldwyn D+
51.2
8K 831
260 Calhoun City D+
51.2
6K 1272
261 Sandersville D+
51.2
4K 564
262 Vardaman D+
51.1
3K 518
263 Booneville D+
51
19K 881
264 Richton D+
51
10K 686
265 Ellisville D+
50.8
13K 1038
266 Ridgeland D+
50.5
41K 933
267 Petal D+
50.5
28K 1343
268 Mcneill D+
50.5
23K 634
269 Florence D+
50.4
21K 1369
270 Louisville D+
50.4
16K 593
271 Meridian D+
50.3
58K 1245
272 Columbus D+
50.2
55K 667
273 Eupora D+
50.2
9K 903
274 Canton D
50
81K 1071
275 Gallman D+
50
6K 613
276 Utica D+
50
4K 398
277 Drew D+
50
3K 313
278 Parchman D+
50
3K 319
279 Coldwater D+
50
2K 369
280 Rolling Fork D+
50
2K 387
281 Sturgis D+
50
2K 626
282 Sledge D+
50
1K 261
283 Cary D+
50
591 181
284 Pace D+
50
525 292
285 Biloxi D
49.9
47K 1278
286 Morton D
49.6
8K 812
287 Carthage D
49.5
16K 1286
288 Vicksburg D
49.2
56K 375
289 Columbia D
49.2
18K 1023
290 Batesville D
49.2
15K 730
291 Houston D
49.2
10K 875
292 Bay Springs D
49.2
10K 1055
293 Pelahatchie D
49.2
9K 715
294 Winona D
49
10K 589
295 Como D
49
4K 511
296 Mclain D
49
2K 499
297 Pascagoula D
48.9
35K 360
298 Hattiesburg D
48.8
104K 1916
299 Diamondhead D
48.8
13K 302
300 Boyle D
48
6K 696
301 Jackson D
47.8
219K 392
302 Tupelo D
47.5
39K 496
303 Charleston D
47.5
7K 729
304 Duck Hill D
47.5
924 242
305 Senatobia D
47
12K 732
306 Starkville D
46.9
49K 1567
307 Belzoni D
46.2
7K 664
308 Port Gibson D
46.2
5K 436
309 Tutwiler D
46.2
3K 682
310 West Point D
46.1
23K 882
311 Meadville D
46
6K 595
312 Magnolia D
46
5K 405
313 Ethel D
46
5K 733
314 Corinth D
45.8
36K 937
315 Kiln D
45.5
16K 500
316 Mccomb D
45.4
25K 803
317 Greenville D
45.2
37K 1001
318 Clarksdale F
44.6
19K 607
319 Grenada F
44.5
30K 1708
320 Oxford F
40.5
66K 1749
Counties

Browse Mississippi counties

Adams 2 cities · avg 78.9 Alcorn 2 cities · avg 63.1 Amite 3 cities · avg 78.9 Attala 5 cities · avg 62.1 Benton 2 cities · avg 69.9 Bolivar 9 cities · avg 69.9 Calhoun 5 cities · avg 65.9 Carroll 4 cities · avg 81.9 Chickasaw 3 cities · avg 53.5 Choctaw 3 cities · avg 74.4 Claiborne 4 cities · avg 67.3 Clarke 4 cities · avg 75.9 Clay 2 cities · avg 64.6 Coahoma 3 cities · avg 60.3 Copiah 4 cities · avg 65.1 Covington 2 cities · avg 62.3 Desoto 6 cities · avg 70.8 Forrest 2 cities · avg 49.6 Franklin 2 cities · avg 66.3 George 1 city · avg 54 Greene 3 cities · avg 72.6 Grenada 1 city · avg 44.5 Hancock 6 cities · avg 67.8 Hardeman 2 cities · avg 93.1 Harrison 6 cities · avg 68.5 Hinds 8 cities · avg 54.6 Holmes 5 cities · avg 72.3 Humphreys 3 cities · avg 72.2 Issaquena 1 city · avg 67.3 Itawamba 3 cities · avg 75.7 Jackson 4 cities · avg 66.8 Jasper 8 cities · avg 75.3 Jefferson 3 cities · avg 70.3 Jefferson Davis 2 cities · avg 65.5 Jones 4 cities · avg 66.9 Kemper 4 cities · avg 76.4 Lafayette 4 cities · avg 68 Lamar 3 cities · avg 73.1 Lauderdale 5 cities · avg 78.1 Lawrence 3 cities · avg 76.1 Leake 3 cities · avg 68.2 Lee 7 cities · avg 62.9 Leflore 4 cities · avg 68.1 Lincoln 3 cities · avg 75.9 Lowndes 3 cities · avg 76.4 Madison 4 cities · avg 65.6 Marion 3 cities · avg 67.7 Marshall 3 cities · avg 75.9 Monroe 6 cities · avg 68.2 Montgomery 3 cities · avg 61.5 Neshoba 1 city · avg 56.9 Newton 6 cities · avg 78.9 Noxubee 3 cities · avg 73.4 Oktibbeha 5 cities · avg 59.8 Panola 6 cities · avg 62.3 Pearl River 4 cities · avg 67.9 Perry 4 cities · avg 67.9 Pike 3 cities · avg 50.5 Pontotoc 5 cities · avg 76.8 Prentiss 6 cities · avg 74 Quitman 4 cities · avg 55.2 Rankin 10 cities · avg 68.5 Scott 5 cities · avg 68.5 Sharkey 3 cities · avg 50.7 Simpson 8 cities · avg 74.6 Smith 3 cities · avg 62 Stone 3 cities · avg 74 Sunflower 7 cities · avg 69.2 Tallahatchie 6 cities · avg 65.4 Tate 2 cities · avg 48.5 Tippah 6 cities · avg 72.6 Tishomingo 4 cities · avg 84.7 Tunica 1 city · avg 62.5 Union 3 cities · avg 70.4 Walthall 2 cities · avg 86.8 Warren 1 city · avg 49.2 Washington 6 cities · avg 68.9 Wayne 3 cities · avg 65.6 Webster 3 cities · avg 70.5 Wilkinson 2 cities · avg 67 Winston 2 cities · avg 66.2 Yalobusha 4 cities · avg 67.9 Yazoo 3 cities · avg 69.3
ZIP Codes

Browse Mississippi by ZIP code

Look up water quality by ZIP code to find the systems serving your area.

View all Mississippi ZIP codes →
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Mississippi's water

Is Mississippi's tap water safe to drink?

Mississippi's water quality varies by city. The statewide average grade is C+ (68.7/100). 52% of cities scored an A or B, while 33% received a D or F. Check your specific city for detailed results.

Which Mississippi cities have the best water quality?

The top-rated cities are Jayess (A), Grand Junction (A), Grand Junction (A). These cities scored highest based on violation history, lead levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Which Mississippi cities have the worst water quality?

The lowest-rated cities are Oxford (F), Grenada (F), Clarksdale (F). We recommend residents in these areas consider water filtration and review their city's specific contaminant data.

How many Mississippi cities have PFAS in their water?

109 out of 320 cities tested positive for PFAS "forever chemicals" (34%). 6 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can help reduce PFAS exposure.

Do any Mississippi cities have dangerous lead levels?

1 city exceeds the EPA lead action level of 15 ppb. Lead contamination typically comes from aging pipes and lead service lines rather than the water source itself. An NSF 53-certified filter can effectively remove lead from tap water.

Water quality resources

Guide
How to Read Your Water Quality Report
Read guide →
Guide
Lead in Drinking Water
Read guide →
Guide
PFAS Forever Chemicals Explained
Read guide →
News
Latest Water Quality News
View all →
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