Richton, MS: 4 Violations — 82/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 15 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Residents of Richton generally live with tap water that beats the MS safety average on key EPA compliance metrics.
How Richton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Richton Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0013 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 45% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.38 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Richton
With 3 utilities splitting service in Richton, MS, water accountability is distributed across 15 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Richton, Mississippi (population ~6,336), covering 15 community water systems serving approximately 36,426 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 Richton: B (82/100)
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
Richton water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0013 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 | 8 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39476 | B | 4 | 0 | Southwest Wayne Water Assn |
All ZIP Codes in Richton
- 39476 [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.
Health Outcomes in Richton
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
Top Contaminants in Richton Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Richton
With 45% 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
When trying to understand water quality at the household level, the year a home was built often matters more than any city-wide water report. That's because the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in plumbing, and the earlier phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, created sharp discontinuities in residential plumbing risk by construction era. Richton's median build year of 1981 puts the city in the transition zone: a substantial share of the housing stock postdates the solder ban, but a comparable fraction predates it — with the oldest homes carrying both the solder risk and the pipe risk simultaneously. Whether any individual household sits on the safer or riskier side of these thresholds is the key question, and it's one the city-wide median alone can't answer.
Most homes in Richton 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 Richton Homeowners
Viewed from a financial planning lens, Richton sits in the moderate remediation-share tier — the equity impact of addressing documented issues is real, and deliberate preparation separates smooth outcomes from disruptive ones for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Richton. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 5% above the Mississippi average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Richton
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 Richton have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 45% 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Richton
11 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Richton, 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.
Richton has a moderate flood history with 11 FEMA claims averaging $40,208 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>$2,400</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Richton, MS