Tuscumbia, AL: 4 Violations — 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Tuscumbia, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for AL.
How Tuscumbia Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Tuscumbia Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0019 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 54% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.02 — above typical levels.
Tuscumbia's Water Providers
Water supply in Tuscumbia, AL follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 7 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Tuscumbia, Alabama (population ~20,475), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 77,112 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Tuscumbia: C (63/100)
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
Tuscumbia water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0019 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 1045 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35674 | C | 4 | 0 | Tuscumbia Water Works |
All ZIP Codes in Tuscumbia
- 35674 [C] — 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.
Tuscumbia 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 Tuscumbia's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Tuscumbia Infrastructure Age
With 54% 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
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1988 places Tuscumbia's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era — and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in Tuscumbia 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Tuscumbia
At current valuations, Tuscumbia falls in the moderate remediation-share tier — a level where treating this as a budgeted line item rather than an ad-hoc expense is the practical approach.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Tuscumbia. The estimated $2,000–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 7% above the Alabama average.
Tuscumbia: 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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 54% of Tuscumbia stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Tuscumbia: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
A moderate NFIP record for Tuscumbia — 45 insurance claims paired with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA flood zones — points to a flood history where water-quality pathways have likely been periodically relevant.
Tuscumbia has a moderate flood history with 45 FEMA claims averaging $14,943 per payout. 100% 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>$3,000</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.
What You Can Do in Tuscumbia
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Contaminant 1045 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Tuscumbia's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 54% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Tuscumbia, AL