Shelby County Water Quality: 338 Violations (AL)
18 water systems · 16 ZIP codes · Home Safety Score 64/100 (C) · 16 of 20 tracked ZIP records scored · Updated
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified:
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Find the Right Filter →Water Quality Overview
Shelby County has 18 community water systems across 16 directly mapped ZIP records. The systems report serving approximately 893,256 people. The available records contain 338 EPA violations, including 11 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 3% of all violations in Shelby County. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 11 | 3.3% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 327 | 96.7% |
| Total | 338 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report.
Cities with Most Violations
| Rank | City | Violations | Health-Based | ZIP Codes | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | 52 | 0 | 2 | 93,731 |
| 2 | Alabaster | 35 | 2 | 1 | 27,935 |
| 3 | Columbiana | 35 | 1 | 1 | 10,101 |
| 4 | Sterrett | 34 | 0 | 1 | 6,971 |
| 5 | Vincent | 31 | 0 | 1 | 2,867 |
| 6 | Harpersville | 31 | 0 | 1 | 2,058 |
| 7 | Pelham | 28 | 1 | 1 | 24,871 |
| 8 | Helena | 28 | 1 | 1 | 19,808 |
| 9 | Chelsea | 26 | 1 | 1 | 15,068 |
| 10 | Montevallo | 15 | 2 | 1 | 16,911 |
Most Common Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 39 | 12 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 31 | 12 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 8 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 8 | No |
| PFOA | PFAS | 7 | 7 | No |
| PFNA | PFAS | 7 | 7 | No |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 7 | 7 | No |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 7 | 7 | No |
| Bromodichloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 7 | 7 | No |
| Dibromochloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 7 | 7 | No |
Water Data and the Home Safety Score
This page reports EPA water-system facts without converting the broader Home Safety Score into a drinking-water grade. The county Home Safety grade (C) is a separate multi-source index that also requires PFAS screening, radon, and annual air-quality evidence. Check each ZIP report for the versioned score and its component coverage.
Water Systems in Shelby County
Shelby County is served by 18 community water systems, averaging 0.9 systems per ZIP code. Each system is independently regulated and tested by the EPA. Larger systems serving more people typically have more extensive monitoring requirements.
Water systems in Shelby County source water from a mix of surface water (rivers, reservoirs) and groundwater (wells, aquifers). Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be detected.
How to Check Your Water in Shelby County
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water-system data including contaminant levels and violation history; the Home Safety Score is shown separately with its model version
Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400) can detect contaminants not covered by routine testing
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
Check for lead — homes built before 1986 should test for lead regardless of utility compliance
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 115 enforcement actions against water systems in Shelby County. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance and administrative orders to formal penalties. Systems under enforcement are required to remediate violations and may face ongoing monitoring requirements.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Source publication schedules vary. See the page source and verification fields for available timing evidence.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Shelby County
Water quality varies across Shelby County's 16 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | City | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35051 | Columbiana | 35 | 1 | View → |
| 35007 | Alabaster | 35 | 2 | View → |
| 35147 | Sterrett | 34 | 0 | View → |
| 35078 | Harpersville | 31 | 0 | View → |
| 35178 | Vincent | 31 | 0 | View → |
| 35244 | Birmingham | 28 | 0 | View → |
| 35080 | Helena | 28 | 1 | View → |
| 35124 | Pelham | 28 | 1 | View → |
| 35043 | Chelsea | 26 | 1 | View → |
| 35242 | Birmingham | 24 | 0 | View → |
| 35115 | Montevallo | 15 | 2 | View → |
| 35040 | Calera | 14 | 2 | View → |
| 35114 | Maylene | 4 | 1 | View → |
| 35176 | Vandiver | 3 | 0 | View → |
| 35143 | Shelby | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 35186 | Wilsonville | 1 | 0 | View → |
What are EPA health violations?
Health-based violations mean a contaminant was detected above the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - the legal limit designed to protect human health. Shelby County has 11 such violations. Not all violations cause illness, but repeated exceedances increase risk, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals.
Water facts and the Home Safety Score
The score shown here is the broader Home Safety Score, not a water-quality grade. Model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, PFAS screening, radon zones, and annual air-quality evidence. Shelby County has a score of 64/100 (Grade C) across 16 scored of 20 tracked ZIP records.
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Find the Right Filter →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe in Shelby County, Alabama?
Shelby County has 18 community water systems with 338 recorded EPA violations, including 11 health-based. Water quality varies by ZIP code - check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does Shelby County have?
Shelby County has 338 total EPA violations across 16 directly mapped ZIP records. 11 are health-based.
Which city in Shelby County has the most water violations?
Birmingham has the most violations in Shelby County with 52 recorded EPA violations across 2 ZIP codes.
What contaminants are found in Shelby County water?
Shelby County water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. Check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.
How can I test my water in Shelby County?
Contact your local water utility for free or low-cost testing. You can also use a certified home test kit ($20-$50) or hire a certified lab ($150-$400).