Etowah County, Alabama
11 ZIP codes · Avg score 78/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Spanning 11 ZIP codes, Etowah County posts strong drinking water compliance — most systems have never triggered a health-based notice.
How Etowah County Compares
How Etowah County Compares
Etowah County scores 5 points above the Alabama state average (73/100) and 10 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Etowah County, Alabama
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 16.2 (asthma 10.3%, diabetes 16.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $893, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.352% avg pipe failure probability, 18% of ZIPs at high risk
61.7% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
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: $893
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
48,225 housing units in Etowah 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 Etowah County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Etowah 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 Etowah 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 Etowah County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the | 44,637 | 41 |
| 2 | Highland Water Authority | 3,963 | 40 |
| 3 | Whorton Bend Water Authority | 2,610 | 37 |
| 4 | Northeast Etowah County Water Company-op | 4,275 | 36 |
| 5 | Tillison Bend Water Authority | 1,074 | 36 |
16 total water systems serve Etowah County.
All ZIP Codes in Etowah County
11 ZIP codes tracked in Etowah County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35952 | Altoona | 83 | B | 0 | $120K |
| 2 | 35956 | Boaz | 81 | B | 1 | $171K |
| 3 | 35902 | Gadsden | 79 | B | 6 | — |
| 4 | 35905 | Gadsden | 79 | B | 6 | $189K |
| 5 | 35907 | Gadsden | 79 | B | 6 | $204K |
| 6 | 35990 | Walnut Grove | 79 | B | 2 | — |
| 7 | 35906 | Rainbow City | 78 | B | 1 | $200K |
| 8 | 35954 | Attalla | 77 | B | 4 (1 health) | $131K |
| 9 | 35901 | Gadsden | 74 | B | 6 | $174K |
| 10 | 35903 | Gadsden | 74 | B | 6 | $170K |
| 11 | 35904 | Gadsden | 74 | B | 6 | $100K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Etowah County
Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 61.7% of homes built before 1978
- 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 Etowah County, Alabama
Overview
Etowah County in Alabama covers 11 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (78/100).
10 of 11 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation 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.