Worst Infrastructure: Alabama — 2026 Rankings

Out of 801 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Alabama, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	801
Highest risk	56%
Median risk	31%
Average risk	30%
State	Alabama

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	36267	Millerville	AL	56%	High	65/100
2	36763	Myrtlewood	AL	56%	High	95/100
3	35036	Brookside	AL	52%	High	78/100
4	35573	Kansas	AL	52%	High	78/100
5	35020	Bessemer	AL	51%	High	66/100
6	36913	Melvin	AL	51%	High	66/100
7	35032	Bon Air	AL	50%	High	40/100
8	35476	Northport	AL	50%	High	77/100
9	35660	Sheffield	AL	50%	High	57/100
10	36113	Montgomery	AL	50%	High	82/100
11	36446	Fulton	AL	50%	High	86/100
12	36604	Mobile	AL	50%	High	81/100
13	35649	Mooresville	AL	49%	High	40/100
14	36455	Lockhart	AL	49%	High	99/100
15	35768	Scottsboro	AL	48%	High	45/100
16	36107	Montgomery	AL	48%	High	82/100
17	36436	Dickinson	AL	48%	High	73/100
18	35208	Birmingham	AL	47%	High	76/100
19	35221	Birmingham	AL	47%	High	71/100
20	35501	Jasper	AL	47%	High	81/100
21	35745	Estillfork	AL	47%	High	40/100
22	36607	Mobile	AL	47%	High	76/100
23	36783	Thomaston	AL	47%	High	99/100
24	36915	Needham	AL	47%	High	66/100
25	35118	Mulga	AL	46%	High	83/100
26	35552	Detroit	AL	46%	High	79/100
27	35563	Guin	AL	46%	High	67/100
28	35565	Haleyville	AL	46%	High	81/100
29	35570	Hamilton	AL	46%	High	70/100
30	35584	Sipsey	AL	46%	High	53/100
31	35981	Ider	AL	46%	High	56/100
32	36105	Montgomery	AL	46%	High	77/100
33	36543	Huxford	AL	46%	High	97/100
34	36606	Mobile	AL	46%	High	76/100
35	36611	Mobile	AL	46%	High	76/100
36	35594	Winfield	AL	45%	High	81/100
37	35616	Cherokee	AL	45%	High	69/100
38	36071	Rutledge	AL	45%	High	99/100
39	36442	Florala	AL	45%	High	95/100
40	36602	Mobile	AL	45%	High	81/100
41	36605	Mobile	AL	45%	High	71/100
42	36610	Mobile	AL	45%	High	76/100
43	36612	Mobile	AL	45%	High	86/100
44	36663	Mobile	AL	45%	High	94/100
45	36782	Sweet Water	AL	45%	High	87/100
46	36784	Thomasville	AL	45%	High	83/100
47	35061	Dolomite	AL	44%	High	63/100
48	35130	Quinton	AL	44%	High	76/100
49	35183	Weogufka	AL	44%	High	40/100
50	35204	Birmingham	AL	44%	High	71/100
51	35234	Birmingham	AL	44%	High	71/100
52	35543	Bear Creek	AL	44%	High	83/100
53	35548	Brilliant	AL	44%	High	82/100
54	35601	Decatur	AL	44%	High	57/100
55	35630	Florence	AL	44%	High	63/100
56	35904	Gadsden	AL	44%	High	74/100
57	35978	Henagar	AL	44%	High	50/100
58	36320	Cottonwood	AL	44%	High	91/100
59	36603	Mobile	AL	44%	High	76/100
60	36901	Bellamy	AL	44%	High	63/100
61	35060	Docena	AL	43%	High	53/100
62	35064	Fairfield	AL	43%	High	63/100
63	35207	Birmingham	AL	43%	High	76/100
64	35228	Birmingham	AL	43%	High	71/100
65	35578	Nauvoo	AL	43%	High	83/100
66	35769	Scottsboro	AL	43%	High	50/100
67	35772	Stevenson	AL	43%	High	61/100
68	35901	Gadsden	AL	43%	High	74/100
69	36051	Marbury	AL	43%	High	83/100
70	36104	Montgomery	AL	43%	High	77/100
71	36201	Anniston	AL	43%	High	90/100
72	36323	Elba	AL	43%	High	69/100
73	36340	Geneva	AL	43%	High	83/100
74	36617	Mobile	AL	43%	High	76/100
75	36738	Faunsdale	AL	43%	High	99/100
76	36750	Maplesville	AL	43%	High	83/100
77	36792	Randolph	AL	43%	High	83/100
78	36925	York	AL	43%	High	75/100
79	35023	Bessemer	AL	42%	High	71/100
80	35070	Garden City	AL	42%	High	81/100
81	35149	Sycamore	AL	42%	High	66/100
82	35203	Birmingham	AL	42%	High	76/100
83	35206	Birmingham	AL	42%	High	71/100
84	35218	Birmingham	AL	42%	High	71/100
85	35224	Birmingham	AL	42%	High	81/100
86	35503	Jasper	AL	42%	High	81/100
87	35576	Millport	AL	42%	High	82/100
88	36476	River Falls	AL	42%	High	97/100
89	36749	Jones	AL	42%	High	53/100
90	36756	Marion	AL	42%	High	78/100
91	36863	Lanett	AL	42%	High	83/100
92	36907	Cuba	AL	42%	High	83/100
93	36908	Gilbertown	AL	42%	High	70/100
94	36919	Silas	AL	42%	High	73/100
95	35205	Birmingham	AL	41%	High	76/100
96	35580	Parrish	AL	41%	High	83/100
97	35593	Vina	AL	41%	High	66/100
98	35674	Tuscumbia	AL	41%	High	63/100
99	35764	Paint Rock	AL	41%	High	40/100
100	35958	Bryant	AL	41%	High	40/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-07-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.