Ardmore, AL: 7 Violations — 67/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Although much of Ardmore meets baseline drinking water standards, some AL-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look — particularly for older housing stock.
How Ardmore Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Ardmore Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 7 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0046 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 39% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.66 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Ardmore
Across Ardmore, AL, residential water comes from 3 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 4 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ardmore, Alabama (population ~5,056), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 239,921 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ardmore: 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
Ardmore water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0046 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35739 | C | 7 | 0 | Ardmore Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Ardmore
- 35739 [C] — 7 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 Ardmore
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 Ardmore
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Ardmore's Housing Stock?
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
Because Ardmore's housing stock spans a wide range of construction eras, the median build year of 1997 lands in a zone where two distinct risk populations share the same residential market. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — that practice was federally prohibited in 1986 but remained standard until then. The fraction built before 1970 face an additional risk: lead pipes used for service line connections were common before that decade, meaning both the pipe and the solder may be lead-containing in the oldest structures. Residents in mid-century or earlier homes face a different risk environment than neighbors in houses built after 1986, even if they drink from the same utility's supply — and that property-level divergence is what makes the age distribution above more diagnostic than the city-wide median alone.
Most homes in Ardmore 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.
Ardmore: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property value and cost data for Ardmore produce a moderate remediation-share classification — a level where advance financial planning has real practical value and the commitment is realistic for most homeowners who approach it deliberately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Ardmore. The estimated $2,000–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 21% above the Alabama average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ardmore
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Ardmore have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 39% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Ardmore
100% of ZIP codes in Ardmore are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 5 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Ardmore has a moderate flood history with 5 FEMA claims averaging $6,349 per payout. 100% 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>$3,000</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 Ardmore
- 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 Organic Carbon can reduce the most common contaminant found in Ardmore's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 39% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ardmore, AL