Orange Beach, AL: 68 Violations - Home Safety 72/100
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Orange Beach: B.
This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.
In ZipCheckup's scoring, Orange Beach, AL lands in the A-B grade tier.
How Orange Beach Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Orange Beach Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 68 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0024 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 17% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 14.02.
Orange Beach's Water Providers
2 systems shown for Orange Beach, AL, from 2 on the federal list.
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Orange Beach, Alabama (population ~9,275), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 58,743 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Orange Beach: B (72/100)
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
Orange Beach water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0024 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 3.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Alpha (excl. radon and uranium) | Radionuclides | 6 | 1 |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 6 | 1 |
| Endrin | Organic | 4 | 1 |
| BHC-gamma (Lindane) | Organic | 4 | 1 |
| Methoxychlor | Organic | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36561 | B | 68 | 0 | Orange Beach Water Sewer and F.p.a. |
All ZIP Codes in Orange Beach
- 36561 [B] - 68 violations
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.
Orange Beach Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Orange Beach's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Orange Beach Infrastructure Age
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 1990 median in Orange Beach says nothing about pipes swapped out or repaired since construction.
Most homes in Orange Beach 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Orange Beach
In Orange Beach, estimated remediation comes to 1% or less of the median home value.
Estimated remediation costs in Orange Beach can be compared with local home values. The $400–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 221% above the Alabama average.
Orange Beach: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Roughly 17% of homes in Orange Beach were built before 1986, when federal law restricted lead in new plumbing.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Orange Beach: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Orange Beach contains 4,779 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $67,748. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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 $600 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Orange Beach, AL