Belden, MS Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Belden, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for MS.
How Belden Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Belden Water
- Homes built before 1986: 34% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.02 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Belden
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Belden, MS — out of 5 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Belden, Mississippi (population ~5,711), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 48,965 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Belden — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Belden: C (63/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Belden water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Belden
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38826 | C | TOWN OF SHERMAN | 847 |
All ZIP Codes in Belden
- 38826 [C]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Belden
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Housing & Infrastructure in Belden
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Belden's residential inventory spans multiple construction eras, with the median build year of 1996 landing in a zone where pre- and post-1986 homes are both well represented. That split matters because homes built before 1986 may contain lead-soldered copper joints — a plumbing practice banned that year — while those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line. Whether a specific household sits on the older or newer end of this distribution is the primary variable shaping its individual exposure risk.
Most homes in Belden were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Belden Homeowners
Low proportionality — that's the Belden picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Belden are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 61% above the Mississippi average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Belden
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Wherever 34% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Belden — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Belden
A moderate NFIP record for Belden — 1 insurance claim paired with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones — points to a flood history where water-quality pathways have likely been periodically relevant.
Belden has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $1,548 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,600</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Belden
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 34% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Belden, MS