CITY REPORT MS

Bentonia, MS: 1 Violation — 95/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

The water systems supplying Bentonia show a track record of above-average compliance with federal standards — consistently among the better performers in MS.

How Bentonia Compares

Bentonia95/100
Mississippi avg81/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
2
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
A · 95
Avg Safety Score
Zone 3
Radon Risk (Low)
$200K
Median Home Value
$1,200
Est. Remediation (0.6% of home value)

Bentonia Water: The Quick Version

  • Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.0041 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 17.53 — above typical levels.

Water Systems Serving Bentonia

Federal drinking water records identify 2 systems in Bentonia, MS. The leading 2 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.

Hilton Heights Water Assn #1
Serves ~1,336 people · 1 violation
95
/100
Town of Bentonia
Serves ~318 people · 1 violation
95
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bentonia, Mississippi, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 3,643 people.

1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Bentonia: A (95/100)

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

Bentonia water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0041 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
39040 A 1 0 Town of Bentonia

All ZIP Codes in Bentonia

  • 39040 [A] — 1 violation

Data Sources

Updated daily.

CDC Health Data for Bentonia

10.4%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
18.5%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
19.4%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10.4% ↑
Diabetes 18.5% ↑
Mental Health 19.4% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

How Old Is Bentonia's Housing Stock?

1984
Median Build Year
50%
Built Before 1986
18%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 50% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

Viewed through the lens of construction era, Bentonia is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1984 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.

1984
Median Year Built
50%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
18%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (18%) 1970–1986 (32%) Post-1986 (50%)

Over half of homes in Bentonia were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Bentonia: Remediation Cost in Perspective

In Bentonia, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.

Median Home Value
$200,400
Est. Remediation
$1,200
Remediation as % of home value 0.6%

Remediation costs in Bentonia are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 57% above the Mississippi average.

Protecting Children from Lead in Bentonia

50%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0041
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Practically, the structural drivers in Bentonia — 50% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Climate-Related Water Risk for Bentonia

Flood exposure in Bentonia is meaningful by NFIP measures — 7 claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.

7
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$6,757
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones

Bentonia has a moderate flood history with 7 FEMA claims averaging $6,757 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>$1,200</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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Bentonia, MS?
Bentonia has an average water safety score of 95/100 (Grade A). 1 EPA violation has been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Bentonia have?
Bentonia water systems have a total of 1 EPA violation. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does Bentonia water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Bentonia is 0.0041 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Bentonia compare to Mississippi average?
Bentonia has an average water safety score of 95/100, which is above the Mississippi state average of 81/100.
How many water systems serve Bentonia?
Bentonia is served by 2 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 3,643 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Bentonia?
Estimated remediation costs in Bentonia average $1,200 per household, ranging from $800 to $1,800. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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