Pelham, AL: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 64/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Pelham: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Across water systems in Pelham, safety results are uneven - a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for AL.
How Pelham Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Pelham Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 28 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 29% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.18 - above typical levels.
Pelham's Water Providers
In Pelham, AL, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 5 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Pelham, Alabama (population ~24,871), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 686,877 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. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Pelham: C (64/100)
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
Pelham water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| PFOA | PFAS | 2 | 1 |
| PFNA | PFAS | 2 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35124 | C | 28 | 1 | City of Pelham, |
All ZIP Codes in Pelham
- 35124 [C] - 28 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.
Pelham 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 Pelham's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Pelham 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
Pelham's housing stock skews relatively recent, with a median build year of 1993. Homes constructed after 1986 avoid the lead-soldered copper joints that were standard before the federal ban - reducing aggregate risk from plumbing as a contamination pathway.
Most homes in Pelham 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 Pelham
Within the Pelham market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity - the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Pelham are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 71% above the Alabama average.
Pelham: 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 Pelham runs in a quiet direction. Aggregate sampling rests under the federal action benchmark, and 29% 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.
Pelham: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Pelham contains 612 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $25,130. 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 <strong>$2,800</strong> 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.
What You Can Do in Pelham
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Pelham's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Pelham, AL