Ward, AL Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Although much of Ward meets baseline drinking water standards, some AL-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look — particularly for older housing stock.
How Ward Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Ward Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 33% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 17.72 — above typical levels.
Ward's Water Providers
Federal records list 2 water systems tied to Ward, AL. Of those, 2 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ward, Alabama (population ~741), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 4,515 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Ward — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ward: 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
Ward water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Ward
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36922 | C | YORK WATER SYSTEM/CITY OF YORK | 3,435 |
All ZIP Codes in Ward
- 36922 [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.
Ward 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
Ward Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Because Ward's housing stock spans a wide range of construction eras, the median build year of 1996 lands in a zone where two distinct risk populations share the same residential market. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — that practice was federally prohibited in 1986 but remained standard until then. The fraction built before 1970 face an additional risk: lead pipes used for service line connections were common before that decade, meaning both the pipe and the solder may be lead-containing in the oldest structures. Residents in mid-century or earlier homes face a different risk environment than neighbors in houses built after 1986, even if they drink from the same utility's supply — and that property-level divergence is what makes the age distribution above more diagnostic than the city-wide median alone.
Most homes in Ward were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Ward: 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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 33% of Ward homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available 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 Ward
- 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 33% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ward, AL