Empire, AL Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drilling into federal monitoring figures for Empire in AL, the pattern is middle-of-the-road — some utilities have documented MCL exceedances or treatment technique violations in recent years, while others have operated without a single flag, making the city's grade a genuine average rather than a rounded-down high.
How Empire Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Empire Water
- Homes built before 1986: 47% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.45 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Empire
Multiple utilities divide Empire, AL's water service — 3 leading providers among 3 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Empire, Alabama (population ~3,751), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 610,068 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Empire — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Empire: C (63/100)
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
Empire water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Empire
- 0 ZIP codes 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35063 | C | SUMITON WATER WORKS BOARD | 5,994 |
All ZIP Codes in Empire
- 35063 [C]
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.
Health Outcomes in Empire
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Empire
With 47% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
When trying to understand water quality at the household level, the year a home was built often matters more than any city-wide water report. That's because the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in plumbing, and the earlier phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, created sharp discontinuities in residential plumbing risk by construction era. Empire's median build year of 1982 puts the city in the transition zone: a substantial share of the housing stock postdates the solder ban, but a comparable fraction predates it — with the oldest homes carrying both the solder risk and the pipe risk simultaneously. Whether any individual household sits on the safer or riskier side of these thresholds is the key question, and it's one the city-wide median alone can't answer.
Most homes in Empire 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Empire Homeowners
Throughout Empire, fixing documented water and safety issues carries an equity weight that moves remediation out of routine planning territory and into structured financial decision-making.
At 2.4% of home value, remediation costs in Empire represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,200–$3,300. Home values here are 44% below the Alabama average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Empire
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 47% of Empire stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Empire
2 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Empire, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Empire has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $39,425 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>$2,200</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 Empire
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 47% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Empire, AL