DeKalb County, Alabama
15 ZIP codes · Avg score 71/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Tracking 15 ZIP codes in DeKalb County shows a water safety record well above the national median — violations are isolated exceptions, not recurring patterns.
How DeKalb County Compares
How DeKalb County Compares
DeKalb County scores 2 points below the Alabama state average (73/100) and 3 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: DeKalb County, Alabama
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.9 (asthma 10.1%, diabetes 15.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $483, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.302% avg pipe failure probability, 7% of ZIPs at high risk
51% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2024–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across DeKalb County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 14 violations. Past 5 years: 24 total (24 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $483
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
37,423 housing units in DeKalb County
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 DeKalb County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in DeKalb 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 DeKalb County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in DeKalb County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeast Alabama Water, Sewer, and Fpd | 47,070 | 13 |
| 2 | DEKALB-JACKSON WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT | 15,531 | 10 |
| 3 | City of Fort Payne, the Ww Bd of the | 25,107 | 8 |
| 4 | SECTION (WWB OF THE TOWN OF) | 35,259 | 6 |
| 5 | Collinsville Water Works | 3,945 | 4 |
15 total water systems serve DeKalb County.
All ZIP Codes in DeKalb County
15 ZIP codes tracked in DeKalb County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35765 | Pisgah | 87 | A | 0 | $150K |
| 2 | 35961 | Collinsville | 87 | A | 0 | $89K |
| 3 | 35962 | Crossville | 87 | A | 0 | $130K |
| 4 | 35989 | Valley Head | 87 | A | 0 | $90K |
| 5 | 35968 | Fort Payne | 85 | A | 4 | $117K |
| 6 | 35986 | Rainsville | 85 | A | 2 | $208K |
| 7 | 35951 | Albertville | 84 | B | 3 | $147K |
| 8 | 35967 | Fort Payne | 80 | B | 4 | $156K |
| 9 | 35983 | Leesburg | 60 | C | 0 | $157K |
| 10 | 35984 | Mentone | 60 | C | 0 | $108K |
| 11 | 35981 | Ider | 56 | C | 10 (8 health) | $101K |
| 12 | 35963 | Dawson | 50 | D | 0 | $108K |
| 13 | 35974 | Geraldine | 50 | D | 0 | $163K |
| 14 | 35978 | Henagar | 50 | D | 0 | $124K |
| 15 | 35988 | Sylvania | 50 | D | 0 | $129K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for DeKalb County
Methodologically, the recommendation order reflects severity in the federal record: contaminants flagged in EPA detection records for this county outrank generic water concerns, FEMA-confirmed hazard ratings shift emergency-related categories upward, and CDC lead-exposure markers govern when lead-test kits and certified filters appear at the top of the list.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 51% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for DeKalb County, Alabama
Overview
DeKalb County in Alabama covers 15 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (71/100).
5 of 15 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 8 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Alabama water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.