Mississippi Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Mississippi, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
City Of Oxford has the highest PFAS in Mississippi at 72.2 ppt (18x the EPA limit). Central Yazoo W/A #5 has the highest lead at 2.4 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Mississippi
Public water systems in Mississippi with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City Of Oxford | – | 72.2 | 8 | 18x |
| 2 | Broadmoor Utilities, Inc | – | 15.5 | 1 | 4x |
| 3 | University Of Mississippi | – | 10.1 | 6 | 3x |
| 4 | City Of Holly Springs | – | 9.6 | 3 | 2x |
| 5 | Smiths Crossing Water Assn | – | 8.6 | 1 | 2x |
| 6 | Keesler Air Force Base | – | 7.7 | 1 | 2x |
| 7 | Sunrise Utility Assn Inc | – | 5.5 | 1 | 1x |
| 8 | City Of Brookhaven | – | 4.4 | 1 | 1x |
Highest Lead Levels in Mississippi
Community water systems in Mississippi with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Yazoo W/A #5 | Yazoo City · 1,618 served | 2.4 | within |
| 2 | Central Yazoo #4-Benton | Yazoo City · 1,225 served | 1.8 | within |
| 3 | Central Yazoo #3 Mechanicsbrg | Yazoo City · 1,927 served | 1.2 | within |
| 4 | City Of Yazoo City | Yazoo · 9,913 served | 0.9 | within |
Most EPA Violations in Mississippi
Community water systems in Mississippi with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City Of Yazoo City | Yazoo · 9,913 served | 1 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Mississippi?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), City Of Oxford had the highest recorded PFAS level in Mississippi at 72.2 ppt - about 18x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Mississippi water system has the highest lead levels?
Central Yazoo W/A #5 in Yazoo City had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Mississippi under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 2.4 ppb (within the 15 ppb action level).
Which Mississippi water system has the most EPA violations?
City Of Yazoo City in Yazoo has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Mississippi, with 1 violations.
Where does the Mississippi water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Mississippi Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Mississippi water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.