Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
26 ZIP codes · Avg score 73/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-04
Unlike many counties its size, Tuscaloosa County keeps violation rates low — all 26 ZIP codes score at or above the state average for tap water safety, with no systemic concerns flagged in the current data set.
How Tuscaloosa County Compares
How Tuscaloosa County Compares
Tuscaloosa County scores 0 points above the Alabama state average (73/100) and 5 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.3 (asthma 10.3%, diabetes 12%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $522, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.273% avg pipe failure probability, 5% of ZIPs at high risk
38.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Tuscaloosa County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2022 with 17 violations. Past 5 years: 41 total (41 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: $522
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
95,648 housing units in Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuscaloosa Water & Sewer | 166,524 | 44 |
| 2 | Mitchell Water System Inc. | 8,730 | 36 |
| 3 | Englewood-hulls Water System, Inc. | 7,077 | 36 |
| 4 | Carrolls Creek Water Authority | 16,248 | 14 |
| 5 | Northport Water Works (city Of) | 40,551 | 10 |
12 total water systems serve Tuscaloosa County.
All ZIP Codes in Tuscaloosa County
26 ZIP codes tracked in Tuscaloosa County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35446 | Buhl | 83 | B | 0 | $107K |
| 2 | 35449 | Coaling | 83 | B | 0 | — |
| 3 | 35452 | Coker | 83 | B | 0 | $181K |
| 4 | 35480 | Ralph | 83 | B | 1 | $261K |
| 5 | 35444 | Brookwood | 82 | B | 2 | $181K |
| 6 | 35475 | Northport | 82 | B | 2 | $310K |
| 7 | 35490 | Vance | 82 | B | 2 | $168K |
| 8 | 35402 | Tuscaloosa | 81 | B | 4 (2 health) | — |
| 9 | 35406 | Tuscaloosa | 81 | B | 4 (2 health) | $467K |
| 10 | 35407 | Tuscaloosa | 81 | B | 4 (2 health) | — |
| 11 | 35485 | Tuscaloosa | 81 | B | 4 (2 health) | — |
| 12 | 35486 | Tuscaloosa | 81 | B | 4 (2 health) | — |
| 13 | 35487 | Tuscaloosa | 81 | B | 4 (2 health) | — |
| 14 | 35473 | Northport | 77 | B | 2 | $250K |
| 15 | 35476 | Northport | 77 | B | 2 | $197K |
| 16 | 35404 | Tuscaloosa | 76 | B | 4 (2 health) | $176K |
| 17 | 35401 | Tuscaloosa | 71 | B | 4 (2 health) | $141K |
| 18 | 35405 | Tuscaloosa | 71 | B | 4 (2 health) | $225K |
| 19 | 35453 | Cottondale | 63 | C | 0 | $190K |
| 20 | 35456 | Duncanville | 63 | C | 0 | $160K |
| 21 | 35463 | Fosters | 63 | C | 0 | $194K |
| 22 | 35457 | Echola | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 23 | 35458 | Elrod | 53 | D | 0 | $189K |
| 24 | 35468 | Kellerman | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 25 | 35478 | Peterson | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 26 | 35482 | Samantha | 53 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Tuscaloosa County
Strictly editorial — no paid placements influence which guides appear; the selection draws on NSF certifications and EPA detection records for water systems serving this county.
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- 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 Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
Overview
Tuscaloosa County in Alabama covers 26 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (73/100).
15 of 26 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 18 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.