Calera, AL: 2 Health Violations - Home Safety 60/100
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Calera: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
While Calera avoids AL's lowest safety tiers, a portion of its water systems have logged documented violations.
How Calera Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Calera Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 14 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 20% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.18 - above typical levels.
Calera's Water Providers
Structurally, Calera, AL's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 4 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Calera, Alabama (population ~18,819), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 83,079 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Calera: C (60/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Calera water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0015 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35040 | C | 14 | 2 | City of Calera, the Wwb of Te |
All ZIP Codes in Calera
- 35040 [C] - 14 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Calera Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Calera's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Calera Infrastructure Age
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
A post-1986 majority in Calera's housing inventory - median build year 2006 - generally signals lower aggregate plumbing-era lead risk.
Most homes in Calera 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Calera
The equity impact of remediation in Calera sits at a moderate level - real enough to plan for, within reach for most.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Calera. The estimated $1,200–$3,400 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 28% above the Alabama average.
Calera: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Whenever aggregate samples pass the federal action benchmark and pre-rule housing - 20% in Calera - represents a smaller fraction, lead occupies a lower priority on the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Calera: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Calera contains 5 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $23,976. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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. The <strong>$2,200</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
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.
What You Can Do in Calera
- 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 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Calera's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Calera, AL