Mobile, AL: 36 Health Violations - 85/100 (2026)
36 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Mobile: A.
No federal data flags a major home-safety concern for this ZIP.
Unlike many cities its size in AL, Mobile 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.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Mobile Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 144 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0015 mg/L.
Water Quality in Mobile
We track water quality and home safety data for 36 ZIP codes in Mobile, Alabama, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 266,822 people.
36 of 36 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 144 total, including 36 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: A (85/100)
Water sources: Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 72 | 36 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 36 | 36 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 36 | 36 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0015 mg/L
- 74% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 14% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1969
- Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 46/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 21%
- 11 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 74% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Mobile 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
123,734 total housing units across 36 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 5,622 | 5% |
| 1940–1949 | 7,630 | 6% |
| 1950–1959 | 16,412 | 13% |
| 1960–1969 | 17,629 | 14% |
| 1970–1979 | 26,097 | 21% |
| 1980–1989 | 18,361 | 15% |
| 1990–1999 | 12,278 | 10% |
| 2000–2009 | 12,478 | 10% |
| 2010–2019 | 6,960 | 6% |
| 2020+ | 267 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Mobile:
- 6,904 flood insurance claims on record
- $170,091,462 total paid out
- $24,637 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
- 18 of 36 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 36 ZIP codes
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36625 | 94/100 | A | 4 |
| 36628 | 94/100 | A | 4 |
| 36630 | 94/100 | A | 4 |
| 36640 | 94/100 | A | 4 |
| 36641 | 94/100 | A | 4 |
| 36644 | 94/100 | A | 4 |
| 36663 | 94/100 | A | 4 |
| 36671 | 94/100 | A | 4 |
| 36675 | 94/100 | A | 4 |
| 36685 | 94/100 | A | 4 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36605 | 71/100 | B | 4 |
| 36693 | 76/100 | B | 4 |
| 36619 | 76/100 | B | 4 |
| 36617 | 76/100 | B | 4 |
| 36611 | 76/100 | B | 4 |
| 36610 | 76/100 | B | 4 |
| 36609 | 76/100 | B | 4 |
| 36608 | 76/100 | B | 4 |
| 36607 | 76/100 | B | 4 |
| 36606 | 76/100 | B | 4 |
What Mobile 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 Mobile 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)
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 Mobile
- 36601 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36602 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36603 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36604 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36605 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36606 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36607 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36608 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36609 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36610 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36611 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36612 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36615 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36616 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36617 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36618 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36619 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36625 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36628 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36630 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36633 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36640 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36641 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36644 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36652 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36660 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36663 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36670 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36671 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36675 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36685 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36688 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36689 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36691 [A] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36693 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 36695 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Mobile, AL?
Mobile has an average Home Safety Score of 85/100 (grade A) across 36 ZIP codes. There are 144 recorded EPA violations, 36 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Mobile have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Mobile is 0.0015 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 74% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Mobile at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 6,904 flood insurance claims in Mobile ZIP codes, with an average payout of $24,637. 18 of 36 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Mobile homes?
74% of Mobile housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 14% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 21%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Mobile water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Chlorite, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). Across 36 ZIP codes, 36 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.
How Old Is Mobile's Housing Stock?
Median build year of 1969 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Compared to many older metro areas, Mobile carries a relatively newer housing profile - the median build year of 1969 places most of the stock in the post-1986 era when lead solder was federally banned from new plumbing. That shift meaningfully reduces the baseline likelihood of lead leaching from copper joint solder. Homes from before 1986 do still exist in the mix, however, and individual testing remains the only way to confirm what a specific tap actually delivers.
Most homes in Mobile 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in Mobile
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 Mobile 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Mobile
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Mobile, that record documents 6904 claims and 0% 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.
Mobile has a moderate flood history with 6,904 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mobile, AL