Tuscaloosa, AL: 4 Health Violations - Home Safety 81/100
10 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Tuscaloosa: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
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
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 12 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0006 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.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track 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. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 5 of 10 ZIP codes.
5 of 5 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Tuscaloosa: B (81/100)
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
Tuscaloosa water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0006 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 5 ZIP codes with known status 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 | 19 | 5 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 15 | 5 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 6 | 5 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35404 | B | 9 | 4 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
| 35405 | B | 8 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
| 35406 | B | 7 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
| 35401 | B | 6 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
| 35487 | B | 6 | 2 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer |
All ZIP Codes in Tuscaloosa
- 35401 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 35402
- 35403
- 35404 [B] - 9 violations ⚠
- 35405 [B] - 8 violations ⚠
- 35406 [B] - 7 violations ⚠
- 35407
- 35485
- 35486
- 35487 [B] - 6 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.
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.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Tuscaloosa
Historical NFIP data for Tuscaloosa contains 220 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $15,029. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 67% 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>$1,480</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 Tuscaloosa, AL