Ralph, AL: 1 Violation - Home Safety 83/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Ralph: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
For households in Ralph, AL water data shows a consistently above-average safety picture.
How Ralph Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Ralph Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 28% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.26 - above typical levels.
Ralph's Water Providers
Most residential addresses in Ralph, AL are served by a single water utility - the dominant system among the 1 provider tracked in federal data.
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ralph, Alabama (population ~1,792), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 6,015 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 Ralph: B (83/100)
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
Ralph water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35480 | B | 1 | 0 | Fosters-ralph Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Ralph
- 35480 [B] - 1 violation
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.
Ralph 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 Ralph's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Ralph 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
Ralph's housing stock skews relatively recent, with a median build year of 2008. 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 Ralph 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 Ralph
Low proportionality - that's the Ralph picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Ralph are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 58% above the Alabama average.
Ralph: 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.
Pre-rule stock in Ralph accounts for 28% of the inventory - a modest fraction - and citywide samples land safely beneath the federal action mark.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Ralph: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Ralph contains 2 flood insurance claims. 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>$2,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ralph, AL