Columbus, MS: 24 Violations — 67/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, Columbus, MS reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Columbus Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Columbus, MS
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Columbus's 6 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Columbus Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 24 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0005 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.62 — above typical levels.
Columbus's Water Providers
Water supply in Columbus, MS follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 8 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Columbus, Mississippi, covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 48,322 people.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Columbus: C (67/100)
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
Columbus water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0005 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 6 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 28 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39701 | C | 4 | 0 | Columbus Light & Water |
| 39702 | C | 4 | 0 | Columbus Light & Water |
| 39703 | B | 4 | 0 | Columbus Light & Water |
| 39704 | B | 4 | 0 | Columbus Light & Water |
| 39705 | C | 4 | 0 | Columbus Light & Water |
| 39710 | B | 4 | 0 | Columbus Light & Water |
All ZIP Codes in Columbus
- 39701 [C] — 4 violations
- 39702 [C] — 4 violations
- 39703 [B] — 4 violations
- 39704 [B] — 4 violations
- 39705 [C] — 4 violations
- 39710 [B] — 4 violations
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.
Columbus Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Columbus's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Columbus
In Columbus, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Columbus are relatively low compared to home values. The $667–$2,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 12% above the Mississippi average.
Columbus: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Lead risk in Columbus appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Columbus: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Over the multi-decade span covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Columbus has accumulated 1134 flood claims — a total that reflects a community where significant flooding is a recurring, documented feature of the local environment. That history has direct relevance to water quality. Each major flood event activates contamination pathways that are absent or dormant during dry conditions: treatment plants handling floodwater-saturated intake face sharply elevated contaminant loads; private wells in low-lying FEMA-designated zones — which cover 83% of local ZIP codes — can be infiltrated by surface runoff carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; distribution systems under pressure during flooding can experience backflow that draws untreated water into the supply.
Columbus has a significant flood history with 1,134 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $7,274 per claim. With 83% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$1,400</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 Columbus
- 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. Filters rated for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Columbus's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Columbus, MS