COUNTY REPORT AL

Colbert County, Alabama

9 ZIP codes · Avg score 60/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03

Monitoring figures for Colbert County indicate average water quality overall — some ZIP codes among the 9 tracked have recorded health-based violations, while others operate cleanly, making individual ZIP-level data the most actionable reference point.

How Colbert County Compares

Colbert County60/100
Alabama avg73/100
National avg68/100

How Colbert County Compares

C
County Grade
60/100
Avg Safety Score
9
ZIP Codes
14
Water Systems

Colbert County scores 13 points below the Alabama state average (73/100) and 8 points below the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

C
County Grade
60
Avg Safety Score
9
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 35616 (69/100)
Lowest ZIP: 35585 (40/100)
$153K
Median Home Value
$2,822
Avg Remediation (185% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Colbert County, Alabama

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 15.2 (asthma 10.3%, diabetes 15.2%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $882, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.32% avg pipe failure probability, 22% of ZIPs at high risk

57.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2025)

↑ Worsening trend

EPA violation counts by year across Colbert County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2021
1 (1 health)
2022
1 (1 health)
2024
2 (2 health)
2025
6 (6 health)

Peak year: 2025 with 6 violations. Past 5 years: 10 total (10 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 10.3% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 15.2% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 38.2% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1983
Median Build Year
57.1%
Pre-1978 Housing
32%
Pipe Failure Probability
22%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Low
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $882

Flood $600/yr
Energy Code Gap $160/yr
Water / Lead $122/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

31,084 housing units in Colbert County

Pre-1940 7%
1940–1959 13%
1960–1979 31%
1980–1999 23%
2000+ 25%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).

Water Safety Affordability

How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Colbert County

$153K
Median Home Value
$2,822
Est. Remediation Cost
1.8%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Colbert County, representing a small fraction of property value.

Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.

Health Outcomes vs National Average

CDC PLACES data for Colbert County residents

Asthma 10.3% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 15.2% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 38.2% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Colbert County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Muscle Shoals Utility Board 22,467 16
2 Sheffield Utitlies, City of Sheffield Db 13,758 8
3 Lagrange Mountain Water Authority 1,242 6
4 Leighton, Wsb of the Town of 1,203 6
5 Tuscumbia Water Works 14,400 6

14 total water systems serve Colbert County.

All ZIP Codes in Colbert County

9 ZIP codes tracked in Colbert County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 35616 Cherokee 69 C 1 (1 health) $94K
2 35646 Leighton 65 C 6 (2 health) $114K
3 35662 Muscle Shoals 65 C 2
4 35672 Town Creek 65 C 0 $125K
5 35661 Muscle Shoals 64 C 2 $190K
6 35674 Tuscumbia 63 C 4 $177K
7 35660 Sheffield 57 C 2 (2 health) $129K
8 35651 Mount Hope 53 D 0 $185K
9 35585 Spruce Pine 40 D 0 $221K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Colbert County

Where county records show a lead exceedance or pre-1978 housing concentration, lead-specific filters and test kits move toward the top of the list.

Overview

Colbert County in Alabama covers 9 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (60/100).

6 of 9 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 5 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Alabama water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Colbert County?
Colbert County receives a grade of C. Some ZIP codes have recorded violations and residents in affected areas may want to test their water.
How many water systems serve Colbert County?
Colbert County is served by 14 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 9 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Colbert County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Colbert County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $882 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Colbert County?
The median home build year in Colbert County is 1983. 57.1% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Colbert County compare to Alabama?
Colbert County has an average water safety score of 60/100, which is below the Alabama state average of 73/100.

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