Huntsville, AL: 24 Violations - 65/100 (2026)
24 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Huntsville: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Huntsville's water quality grade in AL reflects a middle-ground assessment - service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Key Facts for Huntsville Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 24 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
Water Quality in Huntsville
We track water quality and home safety data for 24 ZIP codes in Huntsville, Alabama (population ~214,900), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 394,518 people region-wide.
24 of 24 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 24 total, including no health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: C (65/100)
Water sources: Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 2959 | Other | 24 | 24 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L
- 54% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 5% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1981
- Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 36/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 16%
- 4 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 54% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Huntsville residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
99,073 total housing units across 24 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 2,774 | 3% |
| 1940–1949 | 2,355 | 2% |
| 1950–1959 | 8,392 | 8% |
| 1960–1969 | 20,707 | 21% |
| 1970–1979 | 12,534 | 13% |
| 1980–1989 | 16,323 | 16% |
| 1990–1999 | 11,877 | 12% |
| 2000–2009 | 12,317 | 12% |
| 2010–2019 | 10,944 | 11% |
| 2020+ | 850 | 1% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Huntsville:
- 539 flood insurance claims on record
- $8,164,662 total paid out
- $15,148 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
- 6 of 24 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 24 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35807 | 70/100 | B | 1 |
| 35824 | 70/100 | B | 1 |
| 35896 | 70/100 | B | 1 |
| 35804 | 66/100 | C | 1 |
| 35808 | 66/100 | C | 1 |
| 35809 | 66/100 | C | 1 |
| 35812 | 66/100 | C | 1 |
| 35813 | 66/100 | C | 1 |
| 35814 | 66/100 | C | 1 |
| 35815 | 66/100 | C | 1 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35802 | 55/100 | C | 1 |
| 35803 | 60/100 | C | 1 |
| 35801 | 60/100 | C | 1 |
| 35816 | 65/100 | C | 1 |
| 35811 | 65/100 | C | 1 |
| 35810 | 65/100 | C | 1 |
| 35806 | 65/100 | C | 1 |
| 35805 | 65/100 | C | 1 |
| 35899 | 66/100 | C | 1 |
| 35898 | 66/100 | C | 1 |
What Huntsville Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Huntsville has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Test for Radon
- Huntsville is in a high-risk radon area
- Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
- If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Huntsville
- 35801 [C] - 1 violation
- 35802 [C] - 1 violation
- 35803 [C] - 1 violation
- 35804 [C] - 1 violation
- 35805 [C] - 1 violation
- 35806 [C] - 1 violation
- 35807 [B] - 1 violation
- 35808 [C] - 1 violation
- 35809 [C] - 1 violation
- 35810 [C] - 1 violation
- 35811 [C] - 1 violation
- 35812 [C] - 1 violation
- 35813 [C] - 1 violation
- 35814 [C] - 1 violation
- 35815 [C] - 1 violation
- 35816 [C] - 1 violation
- 35824 [B] - 1 violation
- 35893 [C] - 1 violation
- 35894 [C] - 1 violation
- 35895 [C] - 1 violation
- 35896 [B] - 1 violation
- 35897 [C] - 1 violation
- 35898 [C] - 1 violation
- 35899 [C] - 1 violation
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Huntsville, AL?
Huntsville has an average Home Safety Score of 65/100 (grade C) across 24 ZIP codes. There are 24 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Huntsville have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Huntsville is 0.0010 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 54% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Huntsville at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 539 flood insurance claims in Huntsville ZIP codes, with an average payout of $15,148. 6 of 24 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Huntsville homes?
54% of Huntsville housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 5% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 16%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Huntsville water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Contaminant 2959. Across 24 ZIP codes, 24 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Huntsville 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
Housing age matters for water quality because lead solder was widely used in plumbing until the 1986 federal ban. Huntsville's median build year of 1981 suggests a majority of homes were constructed under the newer standard - a meaningful factor when assessing household-level lead risk from tap water.
Most homes in Huntsville 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.
Huntsville: 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.
Lead risk in Huntsville appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Huntsville: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
How does Huntsville's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 539 claims - enough to signal recurring events - and 0% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Huntsville has a moderate flood history with 539 FEMA claims. 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.
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 Huntsville
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Huntsville, AL