Kennedy, AL Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Kennedy tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for AL — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Kennedy Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Kennedy Water
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 60% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.71 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Kennedy
With 3 utilities splitting service in Kennedy, AL, water accountability is distributed across 5 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Kennedy, Alabama (population ~1,046), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 18,291 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Kennedy — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Kennedy: B (83/100)
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
Kennedy water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35574 | B | Fayette Water Works Board | 8,142 |
All ZIP Codes in Kennedy
- 35574 [B]
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 Kennedy
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 Kennedy
With 60% 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
Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Kennedy's median build year of 1974 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.
Over half of homes in Kennedy 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Kennedy Homeowners
For most homeowners in Kennedy, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Kennedy are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$1,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 40% below the Alabama average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Kennedy
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Kennedy have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 60% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Kennedy, AL