Gulf Shores, AL: 68 Violations - Home Safety 88/100
2 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Gulf Shores: A.
Checked records flag no major concern; missing data is unknown.
Tap water system records for Gulf Shores, AL support a high grade on this site; review your own system's entries for specifics.
How Gulf Shores Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Gulf Shores Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 68 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0024 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 43% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 14.02.
Gulf Shores's Water Providers
The 2 largest of 2 systems connected with Gulf Shores, AL are listed below.
- A
- A
Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Gulf Shores, Alabama (population ~17,335), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 58,743 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 2 ZIP codes.
1 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (50%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gulf Shores: A (88/100)
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
Gulf Shores water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0024 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
2 of 2 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 3.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Alpha (excl. radon and uranium) | Radionuclides | 6 | 1 |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 6 | 1 |
| Endrin | Organic | 4 | 1 |
| BHC-gamma (Lindane) | Organic | 4 | 1 |
| Methoxychlor | Organic | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36542 | A | 68 | 0 | City of Gulf Shores, the Ub of the |
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36547 | — | City of Gulf Shores, the Ub of the | 40,947 |
All ZIP Codes in Gulf Shores
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.
Gulf Shores 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 Gulf Shores's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Gulf Shores Infrastructure Age
With 43% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Gulf Shores's housing spans eras before and after 1986; its median build year is 1989.
Most homes in Gulf Shores 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.
Gulf Shores: 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.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Gulf Shores: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Gulf Shores contains 9,752 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $28,040. 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.
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 Gulf Shores, AL