Hamilton, AL: 4 Health Violations — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike many cities its size in AL, Hamilton keeps health-based violation rates low — systems here score at or above the state average for tap water safety, with no systemic concerns flagged in the current data set.
How Hamilton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Hamilton Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 11 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0012 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 62% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.44 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Hamilton
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Hamilton, AL's residential water connections out of 3 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Hamilton, Alabama (population ~10,621), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 16,665 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Hamilton: B (70/100)
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
Hamilton water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0012 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 14 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1009 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35570 | B | 11 | 4 | Hamilton Water and Wastewater Department |
All ZIP Codes in Hamilton
- 35570 [B] — 11 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
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Hamilton
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Hamilton
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Hamilton's Housing Stock?
With 62% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Hamilton's housing stock carries a median build year of 1971. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Hamilton were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Hamilton: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property equity in Hamilton sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Hamilton. The estimated $1,100–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 27% below the Alabama average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Hamilton
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.
When older housing represents 62% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Hamilton address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Hamilton
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Hamilton, that record documents 5 claims and 100% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Hamilton has a moderate flood history with 5 FEMA claims averaging $17,992 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Hamilton, AL