Tuscaloosa, AL: 20 Health Violations — 80/100 (2026)
10 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike many cities its size in AL, Tuscaloosa keeps health-based violation rates low — systems here score at or above the state average for tap water safety, with no systemic concerns flagged in the current data set.
How Tuscaloosa Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Tuscaloosa, AL
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Tuscaloosa score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Tuscaloosa Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 40 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,480 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.34 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Tuscaloosa
Across Tuscaloosa, AL, residential water comes from 3 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 7 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 10 ZIP codes in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (population ~133,062), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 248,652 people region-wide.
10 of 10 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 20 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Tuscaloosa: B (80/100)
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
Tuscaloosa water systems draw from: Surface water.
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 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 9 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 1 ZIP code
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 33 | 10 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 11 | 10 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35401 | B | 4 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
| 35402 | B | 4 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
| 35403 | A | 4 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
| 35404 | B | 4 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
| 35405 | B | 4 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
| 35406 | B | 4 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
| 35407 | B | 4 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
| 35485 | B | 4 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
| 35486 | B | 4 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
| 35487 | B | 4 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
All ZIP Codes in Tuscaloosa
- 35401 [B] — 4 violations ⚠
- 35402 [B] — 4 violations ⚠
- 35403 [A] — 4 violations ⚠
- 35404 [B] — 4 violations ⚠
- 35405 [B] — 4 violations ⚠
- 35406 [B] — 4 violations ⚠
- 35407 [B] — 4 violations ⚠
- 35485 [B] — 4 violations ⚠
- 35486 [B] — 4 violations ⚠
- 35487 [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.
Health Outcomes in Tuscaloosa
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
Top Contaminants in Tuscaloosa Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Tuscaloosa Homeowners
Given current Tuscaloosa valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low — most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Tuscaloosa are relatively low compared to home values. The $670–$2,550 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 36% above the Alabama average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Tuscaloosa
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.
Lead risk in Tuscaloosa appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Tuscaloosa
How does Tuscaloosa's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 220 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 60% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Tuscaloosa has a moderate flood history with 220 FEMA claims averaging $8,092 per payout. 60% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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>$1,480</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 Tuscaloosa, AL