Madison, AL: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 42/100
3 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Madison: D.
Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
If you live in Madison, AL, the lower-tier grade here is a signal to check the water system that serves your address and, if you have concerns, to test your own tap.
How Madison Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Madison Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 44 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0021 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 18% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $667 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 13.13.
Who Supplies Your Water in Madison
Among 5 systems linked to Madison, AL, the 3 biggest by population served appear below.
- D
- F
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Madison, Alabama (population ~90,731), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 570,576 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 3 of 3 ZIP codes.
3 of 3 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Madison: D (42/100)
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
Madison water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0021 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 3 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
3 of 3 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 2 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 2 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 8 | 3 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate | Organic | 5 | 3 |
| Nitrate | Inorganic | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35757 | F | 33 | 0 | Madison County Water Department |
| 35756 | — | 15 | 1 | Limestone County Water & Sewer Authority |
| 35758 | D | 13 | 0 | Huntsville Utilities Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in Madison
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.
Health Outcomes in Madison
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
Top Contaminants in Madison Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Madison
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
Remodels change the picture: a 2006 median in Madison says nothing about pipes swapped out or repaired since construction.
Most homes in Madison 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Madison Homeowners
Compared with typical property prices, the remediation estimate for Madison is small in percentage terms - at or under one percent.
Estimated remediation costs in Madison can be compared with local home values. The $417–$1,000 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 104% above the Alabama average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Madison
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.
For families with young children in Madison, two area figures are available: pre-1986 construction at about 18%, and a mean of the ZIP codes' 90th-percentile lead results under 0.010 mg/L. Testing water from the tap a child drinks from gives a home-specific result.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Madison
Historical NFIP data for Madison contains 48 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $21,688. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% 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. The $667 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
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.
What You Can Do in Madison
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), listed in the water-quality records for Madison: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- Review your water system's CCR. If you use a community water system, request its annual Consumer Confidence Report for system-level test results or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Madison, AL