Tupelo, MS: 4 Health Violations — 78/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 20 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Throughout Tupelo and across its water systems, EPA compliance data for MS shows above-average performance — violations are minimal, none of the tracked systems have recorded repeated MCL exceedances in recent cycles, and the safety picture has held steady across multiple reporting periods.
How Tupelo Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Tupelo Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 60 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0009 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,350 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.02 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Tupelo
3 independent water providers serve Tupelo, MS — 20 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Tupelo, Mississippi (population ~46,737), covering 20 community water systems serving approximately 92,613 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Tupelo: B (78/100)
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
Tupelo water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
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 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 25 | 4 |
| Contaminant 1045 | Other | 10 | 4 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 4 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 10 | 4 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 10 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38801 | B | 15 | 1 | City of Tupelo |
| 38802 | B | 15 | 1 | City of Tupelo |
| 38803 | B | 15 | 1 | City of Tupelo |
| 38804 | B | 15 | 1 | City of Tupelo |
All ZIP Codes in Tupelo
- 38801 [B] — 15 violations ⚠
- 38802 [B] — 15 violations ⚠
- 38803 [B] — 15 violations ⚠
- 38804 [B] — 15 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.
CDC Health Data for Tupelo
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Tupelo
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Tupelo: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Tupelo, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Tupelo are relatively low compared to home values. The $850–$2,125 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 58% above the Mississippi average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Tupelo
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 Tupelo 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Tupelo
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Tupelo, that record documents 122 claims and 75% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Tupelo has a moderate flood history with 122 FEMA claims averaging $15,433 per payout. 75% 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>$1,350</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 Tupelo, MS