Water Quality in Phenix City, AL: 30 Violations - Grade N/A
4 water systems · 3 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 30 violations across 3 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Phenix City. 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 Phenix City
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36870 | 26 | 1 | View report → |
| 36867 | 23 | 0 | View report → |
| 36869 | 15 | 1 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Phenix City, Alabama has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 3 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 30 violations, including 1 health-based violation across 3 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Phenix City water systems is 0.0010 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 3 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 44% of homes built before 1986, Phenix City 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 Phenix City
Phenix City is served by 4 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 63,100 people across 4 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 30 enforcement actions against water systems serving Phenix City. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Phenix City
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 Phenix City Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Phenix City's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 mg/L | 24 | 3 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 4 | 2 | Yes |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 0.005 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 0.1 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 4 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Selenium | Inorganic | 0.05 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 0.1 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Nitrite | Inorganic | 1 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Copper | Inorganic | 1.3 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Mercury | Inorganic | 0.002 mg/L | 2 | 2 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 2 | 2 | No |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 15 pCi/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Radium-226 | Radionuclides | 5 pCi/L | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 15 enforcement actions against water systems serving Phenix City. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-07-01 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-03-31 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-01-31 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-11-06 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-11-06 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-01-03 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-01-03 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-10-12 | State Informal Action |
| 2023-10-12 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-06-28 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-07-01.
Phenix City vs. Nearby Alabama Cities
How Phenix City's water quality compares to similar cities in Alabama:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phenix City | 3 | 30 | 4 | 63,100 |
| Florence | 4 | 15 | 4 | 65,383 |
| Gadsden | 5 | 25 | 9 | 65,544 |
| Athens | 3 | 147 | 5 | 60,409 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Phenix City
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Phenix City's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
Common Questions About Phenix City Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Phenix City, Alabama:
Is Phenix City water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Phenix City's 4 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Phenix City tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 1 health-based violation; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Phenix City? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Phenix City vs. Alabama Average
Understanding how Phenix City 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 Phenix City.
ZIP Codes in Phenix City
Phenix City spans 4 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 3 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.