Vinegar Bend, AL Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
If you're checking Vinegar Bend, AL tap water safety, the short answer is: average — violations are present in parts of the city and specifics depend on which water system serves your address.
How Vinegar Bend Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Vinegar Bend Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 62% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 16.11 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Vinegar Bend
With one provider handling most of Vinegar Bend's residential supply in AL, water service accountability is concentrated in a single utility among the 1 system on record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Vinegar Bend, Alabama (population ~554), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,467 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Vinegar Bend — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Vinegar Bend: C (66/100)
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
Vinegar Bend water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Vinegar Bend
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36584 | C | DEER PARK-VINEGAR BEND WATER & FPA | 1,467 |
All ZIP Codes in Vinegar Bend
- 36584 [C]
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.
CDC Health Data for Vinegar Bend
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
How Old Is Vinegar Bend's Housing Stock?
With 62% 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
Decades of residential development in Vinegar Bend took place before the two main regulatory milestones that reduced plumbing-era lead risk: the phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, and the federal ban on lead solder in 1986. With a median build year of 1971, the housing stock here is anchored in that earlier period. The distinction between pre-1970 and 1970-to-1986 construction matters: the oldest homes may have lead pipes in the service line and lead solder in the copper joints, while the 1970-to-1986 tier still carries the solder risk even after lead pipes became less common. Together, these two risk layers affect a majority of the residential properties in the city — a fact the aggregate water quality data doesn't directly reveal.
Over half of homes in Vinegar Bend 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in Vinegar Bend
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. 62% of Vinegar Bend 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.
What You Can Do in Vinegar Bend
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 62% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Vinegar Bend, AL