Moorhead, MS: 3 Violations — 87/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current MS EPA data, Moorhead's tap water sits in the high-safety tier.
How Moorhead Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Moorhead Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0009 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 69% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.2 — above typical levels.
Moorhead's Water Providers
Multiple utilities divide Moorhead, MS's water service — 2 leading providers among 2 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Moorhead, Mississippi (population ~1,918), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 5,041 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Moorhead: A (87/100)
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
Moorhead water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0009 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)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38761 | A | 3 | 0 | Fmh Water Association |
All ZIP Codes in Moorhead
- 38761 [A] — 3 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.
Moorhead 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 Moorhead's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Moorhead Infrastructure Age
With 69% 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
The character of Moorhead's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1972 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Moorhead 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Moorhead
Given current Moorhead property values, the remediation-to-equity ratio falls in the elevated tier — deliberate financial planning is a meaningful factor in how homeowners approach the documented water and safety issues on record here.
At 2.0% of home value, remediation costs in Moorhead represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $800–$1,800. Home values here are 53% below the Mississippi average.
Moorhead: 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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Moorhead have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 69% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Moorhead: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
18 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Moorhead, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Moorhead has a moderate flood history with 18 FEMA claims averaging $9,993 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Moorhead, MS