ZipCheckup grade for 35043: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: use a filter certified to reduce PFAS; check which ones. Check your ZIP → EPA PFAS info
Chelsea, AL (35043): PFAS Above 2029 MCL Level - 66/100
EPA data combined for 4 water systems mapped to this ZIP (largest mapped system: Shelby County Commission-water Services)
Health-based violation records by water system:
EPA records for the water systems mapped to 35043 in Chelsea, AL contain 26 recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026, all mapped systems combined; 1 are marked health-based.
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SDWIS
At a Glance
- Water EPA records for water systems mapped to this ZIP show 1 health-based violation and 25 non-health-based (since 2021).
- Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result of 0.002 mg/L is below the EPA action level for water systems; EPA's health goal for lead is zero.
- PFAS At least one PFAS result is above an EPA MCL value (UCMR5 sampling; MCL compliance required from 2029).
- Radon EPA Zone 2 - county-level radon potential, not a home measurement.
- Flood 3 cumulative NFIP claim records. Claim evidence is historical, not current map coverage.
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Safety records for Chelsea (35043) contain exactly one critical finding.
Score Breakdown
Overall Home Safety Score: 66/100
This is the published model score. Component and domain values are shown independently; they are not added together on this page.
Canonical components
Required domains
Coverage: 4 of 4 components and 3 of 3 domains observed.
Model 4.0.0; series home-safety-v4-cross-vertical.
Safety & Health (7) CRITICAL
Your Water System
ZIP code 35043 in Chelsea, Alabama is mapped to the water system Shelby County Commission-water Services (EPA ID: AL0001671). This system provides water to approximately 40,101 people from surface water sources.
There are 4 community water systems serving this area.
Water Systems Serving This Area
| System Name | EPA ID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby County Commission-water Services | AL0001671 | 40,101 | Surface water |
| City of Pelham, | AL0001163 | 38,703 | Surface water |
| City of Alabaster Water Department, | AL0001148 | 40,986 | Surface water |
| Columbiana, the Ww Board of the Town of | AL0001151 | 12,903 | Groundwater |
Other Water Quality Reports in Alabama
- 35004 (Moody) - 6 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35005 (Adamsville) - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35006 (Adger)
- 35007 (Alabaster) - 35 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35010 (Alexander City) - 11 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35011 (Alexander City)
- 35013 (Allgood)
- 35014 (Alpine) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35015 (Alton)
- 35016 (Arab) - 6 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35019 (Baileyton) - 8 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35020 (Bessemer) - 7 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35021 (Bessemer)
- 35022 (Bessemer) - 7 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35023 (Bessemer) - 12 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35031 (Blountsville) - 5 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35032 (Bon Air)
- 35033 (Bremen)
- 35034 (Brent) - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 35035 (Brierfield) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
Nearby Water Quality Reports
- 35242 (Birmingham) - 6 mi - 24 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35124 (Pelham) - 6 mi - 28 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35185 (Westover) - 7 mi
- 35051 (Columbiana) - 9 mi - 35 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35186 (Wilsonville) - 9 mi - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 35137 (Saginaw) - 10 mi
- 35244 (Birmingham) - 10 mi - 28 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35007 (Alabaster) - 11 mi - 35 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 35144 (Siluria) - 11 mi
- 35216 (Birmingham) - 11 mi - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View available EPA compliance records for Shelby County Commission-water Services (AL0001671) on EPA.gov.
3 of the top compounds applied across the surrounding county in USGS pesticide-use estimates appear on EPA drinking-water monitoring lists. See the agricultural pesticide-use section.
PFAS Contamination Detected
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with ZIP code 35043. One or more compound results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029.
Detected compounds: PFBS, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA, PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxS.
Highest measured level: 0.1135 µg/L
Reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon block filters can reduce PFAS at the tap. Certifications list the compounds covered: an NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 claim for PFOA/PFOS does not cover every PFAS, so check that the product lists the compounds detected here.
Environmental Hazards (11) MODERATE
Home & Infrastructure (6) OK
Cost & Community (8) MODERATE
CPSC product recall notices
These national notices are not matched to this ZIP code or water system.
Protect Your Home in Chelsea
Based on local data for ZIP 35043, these services may benefit homeowners in your area.
Based on local data for your area. Use the tools below to explore your options.
Home & Flood Insurance
The ZIP code for this report in Chelsea has 3 FEMA flood claims on record. Standard homeowner policies don't cover flood damage - make sure you're protected.
Typical cost: Flood insurance: premiums vary by property and flood zone; request a quote
Check Your Flood Zone (Free)FEMA flood map lookup - see if your property is in a flood zone
Free tip: Check your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov (free lookup)
Service recommendations are based on public data for this ZIP code (FEMA, Census ACS, NWS). Actual needs vary by property. By calling, your information will be shared with an independent service provider. ZipCheckup may receive compensation. Cost estimates are approximate and vary by property, condition, and contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water in 35043 safe to drink?
EPA SDWIS records 26 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 35043 (primary system: Shelby County Commission-water Services), including 1 health-based. The violation table above shows which system each record belongs to. ZipCheckup last updated this page in July 2026. The federal source release date is unavailable, so that month is not presented as source currency.
Where does 35043's water come from?
The recorded water source for Shelby County Commission-water Services, a system mapped to ZIP code 35043, is Surface water. This system serves approximately 40,101 people.
How does Chelsea water compare to the national average?
Chelsea's Home Safety Score ranks lower than 71% of U.S. ZIP codes, and lower than 66% of ZIP codes within Alabama.
How can I get my water tested in Chelsea?
If Shelby County Commission-water Services supplies your home, contact it for its Consumer Confidence Report; otherwise contact the water utility that serves your address, or hire a certified lab for independent home water testing. The EPA recommends annual testing if you use a private well.
Is lead a concern in 35043 tap water?
The Lead and Copper Rule record selected for 35043 reports a 90th-percentile lead result of 0.002 mg/L for a water system mapped to this ZIP (record date 2023-12-31). The EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L. This result is below the EPA action level; it does not show the lead level in each home.
What is the radon risk for 35043?
35043 is mapped to a county in EPA Radon Zone 2 (moderate county-level radon potential; EPA recommends testing every home), located in Shelby County. EPA radon zones range from Zone 1 (highest county-level potential) to Zone 3 (lowest). Testing your home is recommended regardless of zone.
Are there PFAS (forever chemicals) in 35043's water?
Yes, PFAS have been detected in samples from water systems mapped to 35043. One or more PFAS results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 specifically for PFOA/PFOS reduction can reduce PFAS.
What does the NFIP claim history show for ZIP 35043?
FEMA records contain 3 flood insurance claims filed in ZIP code 35043; the recorded rated-zone value (the most frequent one if there are several claims) is X, which is claims evidence and may differ from the current FEMA map zone for a property. Claim records do not establish current property risk. Review FEMA's map for the specific property.
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (2026). Chelsea, AL (35043): PFAS Above 2029 MCL Level - 66/100. https://zipcheckup.com/report/35043/
@misc{zipcheckup-report-35043,
author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Chelsea, AL (35043): PFAS Above 2029 MCL Level - 66/100}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/35043/}
}
Page version: October 2026.
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 35043
| ZIP Code | City, State | Distance | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35242 | Birmingham, AL | 6.4 mi | C | 24 |
| 35124 | Pelham, AL | 6.5 mi | C | 28 |
| 35185 | Westover, AL | 7.0 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 35051 | Columbiana, AL | 8.7 mi | C | 35 |
| 35186 | Wilsonville, AL | 8.7 mi | C | 1 |
| 35137 | Saginaw, AL | 9.6 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 35244 | Birmingham, AL | 10.5 mi | B | 28 |
| 35007 | Alabaster, AL | 10.8 mi | C | 35 |
| 35144 | Siluria, AL | 10.8 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 35216 | Birmingham, AL | 11.2 mi | B | 3 |
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