CITY REPORT AL

Birmingham, AL: Lead Above EPA Action Level - 72/100

63 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Birmingham: B.

This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.

In the dataset behind this page, Birmingham, AL receives one of the two highest grades; read the compliance history system by system for details.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

63
ZIP Codes
9
Water Systems
30
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
B · 72
Avg Safety Score
1
ZIPs Mapped to a System Above the Lead Action Level
Zone 2
County Radon Potential (Moderate)

Key Facts for Birmingham Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 156 violations since 2021.
  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0023 mg/L.

Water Quality in Birmingham

We track home safety signals for 63 ZIP codes in Birmingham, Alabama. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 30 ZIP codes and 9 water systems.

30 of 30 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 156 total, including no health-based violations in the measured subset.

Average Home Safety Score: B (72/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 36 30
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 36 30
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 36 30
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Treatment Technique 6 6
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene Organic 2 2

Lead Risk

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0023 mg/L
  • 1 of 30 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
  • 72% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
  • 22% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
  • Median year built: 1968
  • Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
  • Lead exposure risk score: 48/100
  • Estimated lead service line probability: 21%
  • 20 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 72% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Birmingham residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

238,340 total housing units across 63 ZIP codes:

Era Units Share
Pre-1940 22,246 9%
1940–1949 12,005 5%
1950–1959 31,614 13%
1960–1969 31,094 13%
1970–1979 39,038 16%
1980–1989 30,173 13%
1990–1999 28,596 12%
2000–2009 25,615 11%
2010–2019 17,150 7%
2020+ 809 0%

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Birmingham:

  • 2,157 flood insurance claims on record
  • $38,323,831 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
  • 1,705 claims with payment data
  • 452 claims without reported payment fields
  • $22,477 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
  • Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: X (other)
  • 18 of 34 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
  • Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

63 of 63 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 2.

The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
35244 80/100 B 28
35203 74/100 B 3
35204 74/100 B 3
35205 74/100 B 3
35206 74/100 B 3
35207 74/100 B 3
35209 74/100 B 3
35212 74/100 B 3
35215 74/100 B 3
35216 74/100 B 3

Areas Needing Attention

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
35213 57/100 C 3
35210 57/100 C 3
35242 65/100 C 24
35228 71/100 B 7
35226 71/100 B 7
35221 71/100 B 7
35211 71/100 B 7
35208 71/100 B 7
35243 74/100 B 3
35235 74/100 B 3

What Birmingham Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

  • Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
  • Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
  • Check your ZIP code - each area in Birmingham has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

  • NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
  • NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
  • Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

  • Birmingham is in a moderate-risk radon area
  • Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
  • If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

All ZIP Codes in Birmingham

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Birmingham, AL?

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Birmingham has an average score of 72/100 (grade B) across 27 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 156 recorded EPA violations across 30 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 0 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

Does Birmingham have lead in the water?

The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Birmingham is 0.0023 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 1 of 30 ZIP codes with known action-level status are served by a system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeded the EPA action level. About 72% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Birmingham at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 2,157 flood insurance claim records in Birmingham ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $22,477 among 1,705 claims with payment data. 452 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 34 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 18 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

Are there lead pipes in Birmingham homes?

72% of Birmingham housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 22% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 21%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Birmingham water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Stage 1 DBP Rule. Across 30 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 30 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Birmingham Infrastructure Age

1968
Median Build Year
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

Median build year of 1968 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

1968
Median Year Built
N/A
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
0%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Birmingham were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Birmingham: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

1 of 63
ZIPs Mapped to a System Above the Lead Action Level
0.0023
mg/L average of reported water-system 90th-percentile lead results (the 0.015 action level applies to each system's result, not to this average)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

Available area-level lead records for Birmingham do not determine the lead level at an individual tap. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

1 ZIP code (2% of the city's ZIP records) is served by a water system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Birmingham: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

2,157
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$22,477
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
53%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Birmingham contains 2,157 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $22,477. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 53% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

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.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for Birmingham, AL

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Birmingham, AL?
Birmingham has an average Home Safety Score of 72/100 (Grade B) under ZipCheckup model 4.0.0, an area-level model that draws on EPA water compliance records, PFAS screening, EPA radon zones, and annual EPA air quality data; see the methodology page for how inputs and coverage are handled. 156 violations appear in EPA records for water systems mapped to these ZIP codes. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How many violations are on record for water systems serving Birmingham?
EPA records list 156 EPA violations for Birmingham water systems. These water-system violations are shown for 63 mapped ZIP codes.
Does Birmingham water have lead?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Birmingham is 0.0023 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average. EPA's health goal for lead is zero. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Birmingham?
Our records map 9 water systems to 63 ZIP codes in Birmingham. The related population figure in our data is approximately 502,316 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Birmingham, AL: Lead Above EPA Action Level - 72/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/al/birmingham/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-al-birmingham,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Birmingham, AL: Lead Above EPA Action Level - 72/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/al/birmingham/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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