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.
Calera earns a C grade for AL; check the EPA record for the system that serves your address.
How Calera Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Calera Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 14 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 20% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $900 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 12.18.
Calera's Water Providers
Among 4 systems linked to Calera, AL, the 3 biggest by population served appear below.
- 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 of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 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
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Total organic carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
| Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 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). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
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
The median build year for Calera is 2006. A build year alone does not tell you what pipes or solder a home has.
Most homes in Calera 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Calera
Here the gap between local home values and the estimated repair bill is wide, so the percentage shown below for Calera stays at or under the 1% mark.
Estimated remediation costs in Calera can be compared with local home values. The $550–$1,400 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 28% above the Alabama average.
Calera: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Several limits apply to the lead numbers for Calera. The figure shown is an average of 90th-percentile results from ZIP codes in the city, and it is below 0.010 mg/L; the federal action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to an average like this one, and being below it does not make water free of lead. About 20% of local homes were built before 1986. A test at the home's own tap shows its level, and a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction is an option if a test finds lead.
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 $900 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. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), listed in the water-quality records for Calera: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- 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