Water Quality in Mobile, AL: 190 Violations - Grade N/A
5 water systems · 20 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 190 violations across 20 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Mobile. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Mobile
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36695 | 142 | 1 | View report → |
| 36608 | 112 | 1 | View report → |
| 36611 | 52 | 9 | View report → |
| 36605 | 34 | 1 | View report → |
| 36619 | 34 | 1 | View report → |
| 36693 | 34 | 1 | View report → |
| 36602 | 20 | 9 | View report → |
| 36603 | 20 | 9 | View report → |
| 36610 | 20 | 9 | View report → |
| 36612 | 20 | 9 | View report → |
| 36617 | 20 | 9 | View report → |
| 36618 | 20 | 9 | View report → |
| 36604 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 36606 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 36607 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Mobile.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20 | 20 |
| 2024 | 21 | 21 |
| 2025 | 28 | 28 |
| 2026 | 7 | 7 |
Water Quality Overview
Mobile, Alabama has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 20 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 190 violations, including 9 health-based violations across 20 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Mobile water systems is 0.0019 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 20 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 74% of homes built before 1986, Mobile has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Mobile
Mobile is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 266,822 people across 36 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 200 enforcement actions against water systems serving Mobile. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Mobile
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Mobile Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Mobile's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 124 | 20 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 48 | 20 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 mg/L | 20 | 20 | No |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 15 pCi/L | 10 | 2 | No |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 5 pCi/L | 10 | 2 | No |
| Atrazine | Organic | 0.003 mg/L | 8 | 6 | No |
| Benzene | Organic | 0.005 mg/L | 7 | 6 | No |
| PFOA | PFAS | 0.000004 mg/L | 6 | 2 | No |
| PFNA | PFAS | 0.00001 mg/L | 6 | 2 | No |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 6 | 2 | No |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 6 | 2 | No |
| Bromodichloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 6 | 2 | No |
| Dibromochloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 6 | 2 | No |
| Bromoform | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 6 | 2 | No |
| Chlorodibromomethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 6 | 2 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Mobile:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20 | 20 |
| 2024 | 21 | 21 |
| 2025 | 28 | 28 |
| 2026 | 7 | 7 |
Violations have decreased from 20 in 2023 to 7 in 2026, indicating improving compliance.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 26 enforcement actions against water systems serving Mobile. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-03-06 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-03-06 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2026-01-22 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-01-22 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-11-17 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-10-08 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-10-08 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-08-12 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-08-01 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-08-01 | State Informal Enforcement |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-06.
Mobile vs. Nearby Alabama Cities
How Mobile's water quality compares to similar cities in Alabama:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | 20 | 190 | 5 | 266,822 |
| Huntsville | 11 | 38 | 4 | 214,900 |
| Montgomery | 15 | 9 | 3 | 205,921 |
| Tuscaloosa | 5 | 12 | 7 | 133,062 |
Recommended Water Filters for Mobile
Based on contaminants detected in Mobile's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
- Removes: Chlorite
- Effectiveness: 70-90%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
- Recommended products:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)
- Removes: Trihalomethane (TTHM)
- Effectiveness: 80-99%
- Cost range: $400–$2000
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, under-sink or whole-house)
- Removes: Haloacetic Acid HAA5
- Effectiveness: 60-80%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Mobile
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Mobile's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 36695 | 142 | 1 |
| 36608 | 112 | 1 |
| 36611 | 52 | 9 |
| 36605 | 34 | 1 |
| 36619 | 34 | 1 |
| 36693 | 34 | 1 |
| 36602 | 20 | 9 |
| 36603 | 20 | 9 |
| 36610 | 20 | 9 |
| 36612 | 20 | 9 |
| 36617 | 20 | 9 |
| 36618 | 20 | 9 |
| 36604 | 4 | 1 |
| 36606 | 4 | 1 |
| 36607 | 4 | 1 |
Common Questions About Mobile Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Mobile, Alabama:
Is Mobile water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Mobile's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Mobile tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 9 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Mobile? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Mobile vs. Alabama Average
Understanding how Mobile compares to the broader Alabama average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Mobile.
ZIP Codes in Mobile
Mobile spans 36 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 20 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.