Mississippi Water Quality Report 2026

6 cities424,056 residentsUpdated March 2026

B80.3/100State Average
Mississippi has 6 cities in our database, serving approximately 424,056 residents. The average PurityMap score is 80.3/100 (Grade: B), which is 2.4 points above the US average of 77.9/100. Gulfport has the cleanest water (82/100) while Jackson scores lowest (72/100) due to elevated lead.
Is Mississippi Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Safe — Filtration Recommended

Mississippi tap water is safe — filtration recommended based on our analysis of 6 water systems serving 424,056 residents. The average PurityMap score is 80.3/100 (Grade: B), which is 2.4 points above the national average.

  • 1 cities have lead at or above 5 ppb. Homes built before 1986 are at highest risk.
  • 6 cities use chloramine or have elevated chlorine residuals. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove chloramine.
Our Recommendation

Mississippi water is generally good quality. A carbon pitcher or faucet filter removes chlorine taste and provides extra protection. No major filtration investment is needed for most residents.

All 6 cities in Mississippi meet EPA federal drinking water standards as of 2026. However, EPA standards set legal limits — not health goals. Many contaminants are detected at levels that are legal but may still pose long-term health risks according to independent health organizations like the EWG.
Mississippi at a Glance
80.3Avg Purity Score
3.6Avg Hardness (GPG)
Moderate
0Cities with PFAS
0Cities with Hard Water
3.2Avg Lead (ppb)
139Avg TDS (ppm)

Mississippi is 2.4 points above the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 2.7 GPG below the US average of 6.3 GPG.

Best & Worst Water in Mississippi
Cleanest

Gulfport

82/100

Source: Biloxi River Aquifer

Most Concerns

Jackson

72/100

elevated lead

Cities with Most Water Concerns in Mississippi

Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.

RankCityScoreHardnessLeadKey Issues
1Jackson 72/1004.5 GPG8.5 ppbLead (8.5 ppb)
2Gulfport 82/1003.8 GPG2.5 ppbHardness 3.8 GPG, Lead 2.5 ppb
3Biloxi 82/1003.5 GPG2.2 ppbHardness 3.5 GPG, Lead 2.2 ppb
4Hattiesburg 82/1003.0 GPG2.0 ppbLead 2.0 ppb
5Southaven 82/1002.5 GPG1.5 ppbScore: 82/100
6Meridian 82/1004.0 GPG2.5 ppbHardness 4.0 GPG, Lead 2.5 ppb
Score Distribution

How Mississippi's 6 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:

Excellent (85–100)
0 cities
Good (70–84)
6 cities
Moderate (60–69)
0 cities
Poor (below 60)
0 cities
Largest Cities in Mississippi — Water Quality

Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.







CityPopulationScoreHardnessKey Issues
Jackson167K 72/1004.5 GPGLead
Gulfport73K 82/1003.8 GPG—
Southaven55K 82/1002.5 GPG—
Hattiesburg47K 82/1003.0 GPG—
Biloxi44K 82/1003.5 GPG—
Meridian38K 82/1004.0 GPG—
Hard Water in Mississippi

Mississippi generally has soft to moderate water. Average: 3.6 GPG (Moderate). Most residents do not need a softener.

PFAS in Mississippi Water

Based on EPA UCMR5 data, PFAS have not been detected above advisory levels in any Mississippi cities in our database as of 2026. 1 cities have pending PFAS testing data.

Lead in Mississippi Water

1 cities in Mississippi have lead at or above 5 ppb. Highest: Jackson at 8.5 ppb. No safe level of lead exists. Cities: Jackson.

Lead Guide Under-Sink Filters
Water Sources in Mississippi

Where Mississippi gets its drinking water, based on 6 water systems.




Source TypeCities% of Total
Surface Water233%
Mixed (Ground + Surface)233%
Groundwater233%
Recommended Filter for Mississippi

1 cities have elevated lead. NSF 53 under-sink filter or RO recommended.

All Mississippi Cities — Ranked
#CityPop.ScoreHardnessLeadPFASTDS
1Jackson167K 72/1004.5 GPG (Moderate)8.5 ppb❓ Pending155 ppm
2Gulfport73K 82/1003.8 GPG (Moderate)2.5 ppb✅ No155 ppm
3Biloxi44K 82/1003.5 GPG (Soft)2.2 ppb✅ No145 ppm
4Hattiesburg47K 82/1003.0 GPG (Soft)2.0 ppb✅ No130 ppm
5Southaven55K 82/1002.5 GPG (Soft)1.5 ppb✅ No110 ppm
6Meridian38K 82/1004.0 GPG (Moderate)2.5 ppb✅ No140 ppm
Water Utilities in Mississippi

Mississippi has 6 utilities. Major: City of Jackson Water, City of Gulfport Water, City of Biloxi Water, City of Hattiesburg Water, Southaven Water Department.

Sources: Pearl River, Biloxi River Aquifer, Gulf Coast Aquifer, Leaf River and groundwater, Memphis Sand Aquifer groundwater.

Frequently Asked Questions
Which city has the best water in Mississippi?
Gulfport scores highest at 82/100. Source: Biloxi River Aquifer.
Which city has the worst water in Mississippi?
Jackson scores lowest at 72/100 due to elevated lead.
Is Mississippi water hard or soft?
Average hardness: 3.6 GPG (Moderate). 2.7 GPG below the US average of 6.3 GPG. 0 of 6 cities have hard/very hard water.
Has PFAS been found in Mississippi water?
Based on EPA UCMR5 data, PFAS have not been detected above advisory levels in any Mississippi cities in our database as of 2026. 1 cities have pending PFAS testing data.
What water filter should I use in Mississippi?
1 cities have elevated lead. NSF 53 under-sink filter or RO recommended.
How does Mississippi water compare to the US average?
Score: 80.3/100 (2.4 points above US avg 77.9). Hardness: 3.6 GPG (2.7 GPG below US avg 6.3).
Where does Mississippi get its drinking water?Where does Mississippi get its drinking water?
Mississippi water comes from: Surface Water: 2 cities (33%), Mixed (Ground + Surface): 2 cities (33%), Groundwater: 2 cities (33%).
Data Sources & Methodology
  • EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
  • USGS regional water monitoring data

PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.

How we analyze water Data sources
All Mississippi Cities with Water Reports

6 city water quality reports available for Mississippi.

6 Reports
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Showing all 6 cities
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