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Elevated lead levels found in drinking water of some Claiborne County homes

By Sethanie Smith Oct 30, 2025 | 11:01 AM

CLAIBORNE COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) announced elevated levels of lead were found in the drinking water in some homes and buildings that are serviced by the Romola Water Association in Claiborne County.

According to health officials, lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.

MSDH issued a Lead Action Level Exceedance Notice for the Romola Water Association. The lead action level is a measure of the effectiveness of the corrosion control treatment in water systems. The action level is not a standard for establishing a safe level of lead in a home.

To check whether corrosion control is working, officials said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires water systems to test for lead at the tap in certain homes, including those with lead service lines.

In 2025, MSDH officials said the Romola Water Association distributed lead and copper sampling kits to homeowners, with samples collected on September 29, 2025, and analyzed by the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory.

Out of 10 samples, two had lead levels above the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb), meaning that 20% exceeded the limit. Officials said this does not mean that all drinking water is contaminated since lead levels can vary based on home plumbing, how long water sits in pipes, and how samples were collected. Because more than 10% of samples exceeded the action level, the Romola Water Association is required under the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule to take further action, including notifying all customers and improving corrosion control.

There is no safe level of lead in drinking water, according to MSDH. Residents are encouraged to use certified filters, flush taps before use, and avoid using hot water for drinking or cooking.

According to the agency, the Romola Water Association is focused on protecting the health of every household in its community. They said the association has no lead service lines.

Steps to Reduce Lead in Water

  • Use your filter properly. Using a water filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit the EPA’s website and the EPA’s Consumer Tool for Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead.
  • Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
  • Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking or making baby formula since lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water. 
  •  Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home. Residents may contact the Romola Water Association at 601-437-4006 or send e-mail to ermapshaifer@hotmail.com for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
  • Learn what your service line material is. Contact the Romola Water Association at 601-437-4006 or ermapshaifer@hotmail.com or a licensed plumber to determine whether the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials. 
  • Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact the Romola Water Association at 601-437-4006 or ermapshaifer@hotmail.com to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service line. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line if present.
  • Have your water tested. Contact the Romola Water Association at 601-437-4006 or ermapshaifer@hotmail.com to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.
  • Have your child tested. A family doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide information about the health effects of lead on your child. The Mississippi State Department of Health can also provide information about having your child’s blood tested for lead; call the MSDH Lead Prevention Program at (601) 576-7447.

According to MSDH, the Romola Water Association will provide Corrosion Control Recommendations to the state in response to the ALE (Action Level Exceedance) to prevent future lead and copper exceedances.

The Romola Water Association is taking the actions below:

  • In addition to the information mentioned above that the water association will provide to residents at locations that were sampled, additional public education will be distributed to all Romola Water Association customers by February 28, 2026. Public education is to be provided no later than 60 days after the end of the monitoring period.
  • Romola Water Association is working to determine which corrosion control treatment strategy would be most effective in addressing this situation.
  • Romola Water Association will begin monitoring lead and copper twice per year, once every six months, beginning in 2026. For more information, contact the Romola Water Association at 601-437-4006, or 3150 HWY 18 East #3 Port Gibson MS, 39150, or send e-mail to ermapshaifer@hotmail.com.