Mc Intosh, AL Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities in Mc Intosh have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods — the city's above-average grade in AL reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Mc Intosh Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Mc Intosh Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 46% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.11 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Mc Intosh
One utility dominates residential water service in Mc Intosh, AL — out of 1 system in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mc Intosh, Alabama, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,173 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Mc Intosh — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mc Intosh: B (73/100)
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
Mc Intosh water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Mc Intosh
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36553 | B | TIBBIE WATER & FIRE PROTECTION AUTHORITY | 1,539 |
All ZIP Codes in Mc Intosh
- 36553 [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.
CDC Health Data for Mc Intosh
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
How Old Is Mc Intosh's Housing Stock?
With 46% 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
Reading the housing data for Mc Intosh, with a median build year of 1981, reveals a community where neither old nor new construction dominates. That balanced profile means lead-solder-era plumbing is present throughout a meaningful portion of the residential inventory — with risk concentrated in properties built before 1986 and most acute in those that predate 1970.
Most homes in Mc Intosh 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.
Mc Intosh: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property equity in Mc Intosh runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Mc Intosh are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 13% above the Alabama average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Mc Intosh
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.
Locally, 46% of Mc Intosh homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Mc Intosh
Taken together, Mc Intosh's 3 NFIP flood insurance claims and 100% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Mc Intosh has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $12,136 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>$1,200</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 Mc Intosh, AL