Waveland, MS: 1 Health Violation — 67/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Waveland, MS: mid-range safety grade, uneven compliance across service areas.
How Waveland Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Waveland Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0079 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 31% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.82 — above typical levels.
Waveland's Water Providers
Water supply in Waveland, MS follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 4 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 1 ZIP code in Waveland, Mississippi (population ~6,249), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 9,654 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Waveland: 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
Waveland water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0079 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 | 4 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39576 | C | 4 | 1 | Hancock County Utility Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Waveland
- 39576 [C] — 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.
Waveland 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 Waveland's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Waveland Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Waveland's residential inventory spans multiple construction eras, with the median build year of 1993 landing in a zone where pre- and post-1986 homes are both well represented. That split matters because homes built before 1986 may contain lead-soldered copper joints — a plumbing practice banned that year — while those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line. Whether a specific household sits on the older or newer end of this distribution is the primary variable shaping its individual exposure risk.
Most homes in Waveland 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Waveland
The Waveland equity share sits above the low tier but short of the range where remediation becomes a heavy financial burden — the cost-to-value ratio is moderate, and deliberate planning is the key practical lever for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Waveland. The estimated $1,950–$4,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 70% above the Mississippi average.
Waveland: 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.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Waveland. 31% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Waveland: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Over the multi-decade span covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Waveland has accumulated 1593 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 100% 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.
Waveland has a significant flood history with 1,593 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $117,034 per claim. With 100% 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>$2,800</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 Waveland
- 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 Waveland's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 31% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Waveland, MS