Based on EPA UCMR5 monitoring data, EPA SDWIS federal violations records, and EWG Tap Water Database published findings.
This system has been subject to extensively documented public health concerns, infrastructure failures, and compliance challenges, per EPA SDWIS records and public reporting. Independent assessments and EPA records indicate elevated levels of lead, disinfection byproducts, and other contaminants. Water quality in this system has been the subject of significant public attention. HAVEN strongly recommends NSF-certified reverse osmosis or pitcher filtration. Residents should consult current advisories from the Mississippi State Department of Health for the most up-to-date guidance.
Water source: Surface water (Ross Barnett Reservoir)
Water utility: City of Jackson Water Division
Detected at approximately 6.8 ppt per EPA monitoring data — above the EPA's 4 ppt maximum contaminant level (effective 2026). Reverse osmosis or AquaTru filtration removes 99%+ of PFAS compounds.
The EPA's new maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS is 4 ppt, effective 2026. PFAS compounds have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune disruption, and developmental issues at chronic exposure levels per peer-reviewed research.
The following contaminants have been detected or are associated with elevated risk in this water system, per available EPA and EWG published data:
These detections are drawn from EPA SDWIS federal violations database and EWG Tap Water Database records. EWG health guidelines are stricter than EPA legal limits and reflect long-term exposure risk.
EPA SDWIS records show 12 health-based violation(s) and 6 lead action-level violation(s) in the past 5 years at this utility. Violations reflect the legal threshold; actual health risk at sub-violation levels is addressed by EWG health guidelines used in HAVEN's scoring.
Reverse osmosis filtration is strongly recommended. AquaTru Carafe ($149) or APEC ROES-50 under-sink RO ($250) remove essentially all documented contaminants in this system. Standard pitcher filters are NOT sufficient for this risk level.
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