Sheffield, AL: 3 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Sheffield Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0018 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 82% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.02 - above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Sheffield
Federal records list 2 water systems tied to Sheffield, AL. Of those, 2 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Sheffield, Alabama (population ~9,385), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 36,225 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. 2 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Sheffield water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0018 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 1 (High 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 | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1009 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35660 | — | 3 | 2 | Sheffield Utilities, City of Sheffield |
All ZIP Codes in Sheffield
- 35660 - 3 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.
CDC Health Data for Sheffield
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Sheffield
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Sheffield's Housing Stock?
With 82% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The character of Sheffield's housing stock is one of deep historical layering - a median build year of 1965 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Sheffield were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Sheffield: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Given current Sheffield property values, the remediation-to-equity ratio falls in the elevated tier - deliberate financial planning is a meaningful factor in how homeowners approach the documented water and safety issues on record here.
At 3.0% of home value, remediation costs in Sheffield represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,550–$5,400. Home values here are 22% below the Alabama average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Sheffield
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 82% of Sheffield stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Sheffield
Historical NFIP data for Sheffield contains 14 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $33,054. 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>$3,900</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 Sheffield, AL