Orange Beach, AL: 4 Violations — 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Orange Beach tap water earns a high safety grade — above-average compliance with AL and federal standards.
How Orange Beach Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Orange Beach Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 17% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.02 — above typical levels.
Orange Beach's Water Providers
In Orange Beach, AL, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 2 leading providers out of 2 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Orange Beach, Alabama (population ~9,275), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 54,594 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Orange Beach: B (72/100)
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
Orange Beach water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 4100 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36561 | B | 4 | 0 | Orange Beach Water, Sewer and F.p.a. |
All ZIP Codes in Orange Beach
- 36561 [B] — 4 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
Updated daily.
Orange Beach Community Health Snapshot
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
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
For most of Orange Beach's housing stock, construction occurred after 1986 — when lead solder in plumbing was federally prohibited. The median build year of 1990 broadly reflects that newer profile.
Most homes in Orange Beach 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Orange Beach
Low proportionality — that's the Orange Beach picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Orange Beach are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,200–$4,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 221% above the Alabama average.
Orange Beach: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Generally, the structural picture for Orange Beach runs in a quiet direction. Aggregate sampling rests under the federal action benchmark, and 17% of housing comes from the pre-rule era — a contained local footprint. That dual signal keeps lead in the background of local concerns, while a one-faucet measurement still answers a different question than any system average can: what is actually flowing from one specific tap on a given morning.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Orange Beach: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
The NFIP record for Orange Beach is not ambiguous: 4779 claims filed and 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood territory add up to a substantial flood exposure profile. For a water quality assessment, that profile matters because flooding doesn't just damage property — it can temporarily compromise the systems that deliver safe drinking water, from overwhelmed treatment plants to infiltrated private wells to backflow events in distribution infrastructure.
Orange Beach has a significant flood history with 4,779 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $53,113 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$3,100</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 Orange Beach, AL