Water Quality in Tuscaloosa, AL: 12 Violations - Grade N/A
7 water systems · 5 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 12 violations across 5 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Tuscaloosa. 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 Tuscaloosa
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35404 | 9 | 4 | View report → |
| 35405 | 8 | 2 | View report → |
| 35406 | 7 | 2 | View report → |
| 35401 | 6 | 2 | View report → |
| 35487 | 6 | 2 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Tuscaloosa.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 |
Water Quality Overview
Tuscaloosa, Alabama has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 5 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 12 violations, including 4 health-based violations across 5 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Tuscaloosa water systems is 0.0006 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 5 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 43% of homes built before 1986, Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa is served by 7 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 133,062 people across 10 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 50 enforcement actions against water systems serving Tuscaloosa. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Tuscaloosa
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 Tuscaloosa Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Tuscaloosa's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 16 | 5 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 13 | 5 | Yes |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 5 | 5 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Tuscaloosa:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 |
Violations have decreased from 5 in 2022 to 1 in 2026, indicating improving compliance.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 23 enforcement actions against water systems serving Tuscaloosa. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-03-11 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-02-18 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-02-18 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-12-03 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-11-04 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-11-04 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-08-15 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-08-15 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-12-05 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-12-02 | State Informal Enforcement |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-11.
Tuscaloosa vs. Nearby Alabama Cities
How Tuscaloosa's water quality compares to similar cities in Alabama:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa | 5 | 12 | 7 | 133,062 |
| Madison | 3 | 44 | 5 | 90,731 |
| Dothan | 3 | 114 | 10 | 86,607 |
| Auburn | 2 | 6 | 5 | 78,172 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Tuscaloosa
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Tuscaloosa's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
Common Questions About Tuscaloosa Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Tuscaloosa, Alabama:
Is Tuscaloosa water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Tuscaloosa's 7 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Tuscaloosa tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 4 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Tuscaloosa? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Tuscaloosa vs. Alabama Average
Understanding how Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa.
ZIP Codes in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa spans 10 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 5 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.