Is Hattiesburg, MS Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Hattiesburg tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: lead at 10.4 ppb (above the upcoming 10 ppb standard, effective 2027). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Hattiesburg Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Hattiesburg Compares
Hattiesburg's water is 62% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 69% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Mississippi, it ranks #6 of 11 cities (2% below the state average of 54 PPM). Among smaller cities, Hattiesburg ranks #166 of 288 for hardness.
What Hattiesburg's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 53 PPM - Low Concern
Hattiesburg's water is slightly hard at 53 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Lead is the main concern here. At 10.4 ppb, Hattiesburg's average is well above the health guideline of zero — there is no safe level of lead, especially for children. Lead typically enters your water from old pipes, not the source itself. Quick fix: run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking. Better fix: a certified lead-reduction filter (NSF/ANSI Standard 53) at your kitchen faucet. If your home was built before 1986, testing is strongly recommended.
What's in the Treatment Process
Even though Hattiesburg draws from groundwater, the treatment process still generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 8.47 ppb and HAA5 at 4.81 ppb. Groundwater typically needs less treatment than surface water, but when organic compounds are present in the aquifer, chlorination creates the same byproducts. All levels are within legal limits, though above the stricter EWG health guidelines. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 53 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 69 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 10.4 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ⚠ Elevated |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.2 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | Not reported | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | N/A |
Recommended Filter for Hattiesburg
Lead at 10.4 ppb exceeds the upcoming 10 ppb action level (effective 2027). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.2 mg/L chlorine, many Hattiesburg residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Hattiesburg
Lead enters water from your home's plumbing, not the treatment plant — so Hattiesburg's city-wide average of 10.4 ppb may not match your tap. Testing your specific faucet is the only way to know. Run cold water for 30 seconds before collecting a sample.
Free option: Request Hattiesburg Water Works's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
📊 Already Tested Your Water?
City averages miss neighborhood-level variation. Share your results to help your neighbors get better data.
We review every submission before publishing. Your ZIP is shown; your identity is not.
About Hattiesburg's Water Supply
Water Utility: Hattiesburg Water Works
Water Source: Groundwater wells (Groundwater)
Population Served: 43,449
Hardness: 53 PPM (3.1 grains per gallon)
Hattiesburg draws its drinking water from groundwater sources — Groundwater wells. Groundwater typically requires less treatment than surface water because the earth acts as a natural filter. The tradeoff: dissolved minerals from underground rock formations, which is why mineral content varies by aquifer depth and geology. The geological profile determines hardness, iron, and trace mineral levels. The system serves 43,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Hattiesburg Water Works's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Hattiesburg Water Works in Hattiesburg, MS, including ZIP codes:
36558, 36904, 36908, 36913, 36915, 36919, 36921, 39116, 39119, 39168, 39301, 39302, 39322, 39324, 39330, 39347, 39348, 39355, 39356, 39360, 39362, 39363, 39366, 39367, 39401, 39402, 39403, 39404, 39406, 39407, 39421, 39422, 39423, 39425, 39427, 39428, 39429, 39436, 39437, 39439, 39440, 39441, 39442, 39443, 39455, 39456, 39459, 39460, 39461, 39462, 39464, 39465, 39470, 39474, 39475, 39476, 39477, 39478, 39479, 39480, 39481, 39482, 39483, 39577, 39641, 39643, 39648, 39649, 39654, 39656, 39662, 39663, 39666, 39667, 70426, 70467
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Hattiesburg to Other Mississippi Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Hattiesburg Water
Is Hattiesburg tap water safe to drink?
Where does Hattiesburg's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Hattiesburg?
What water filter is best for Hattiesburg?
Is Hattiesburg water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Hattiesburg's water?
Why does Hattiesburg water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Hattiesburg tap water straight from the faucet?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Hattiesburg Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 53 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Hattiesburg's water data.