ZipCheckup grade for 36542: A.
Checked records flag no major concern; missing data is unknown.
Gulf Shores, AL (36542): 68 Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 88/100
EPA data combined for 2 water systems mapped to this ZIP (largest mapped system: City of Gulf Shores, the Ub of the)
EPA records for the water systems mapped to 36542 in Gulf Shores, AL contain 68 recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026, all mapped systems combined; 0 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 68 violations (non-health) (since 2021).
- Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result of 0.0024 mg/L is below the EPA action level for water systems; EPA's health goal for lead is zero.
- Radon EPA Zone 3 - county-level radon potential, not evidence of a low home result.
- Flood 9,454 cumulative NFIP claim records. This historical count is not a current property-risk verdict.
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Score Breakdown
Overall Home Safety Score: 88/100
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) HIGH
Your Water System
ZIP code 36542 in Gulf Shores, Alabama is mapped to the water system City of Gulf Shores, the Ub of the (EPA ID: AL0000038). This system provides water to approximately 40,947 people from groundwater sources.
There are 2 community water systems serving this area.
Water Systems Serving This Area
| System Name | EPA ID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Gulf Shores, the Ub of the | AL0000038 | 40,947 | Groundwater |
| Orange Beach Water Sewer and F.p.a. | AL0000053 | 17,796 | 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
- 36511 (Bon Secour) - 3 mi
- 36547 (Gulf Shores) - 4 mi
- 36555 (Magnolia Springs) - 9 mi
- 36535 (Foley) - 10 mi - 34 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 36561 (Orange Beach) - 11 mi - 68 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 36536 (Foley) - 11 mi
- 36530 (Elberta) - 13 mi - 40 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 36580 (Summerdale) - 15 mi - 6 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 36533 (Fairhope) - 16 mi
- 36564 (Point Clear) - 17 mi - 5 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 City of Gulf Shores, the Ub of the (AL0000038) on EPA.gov.
4 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.
UCMR 5 PFAS monitoring: no reportable detections in available records
Available federal UCMR5 records for water systems mapped to ZIP code 36542 show no PFAS detections among the compounds tested, at the program's reporting levels.
The EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) required community and non-transient non-community water systems serving 3,300 or more people to test for 29 PFAS compounds and lithium between 2023 and 2025. Systems with no detections at the federal minimum reporting level had no results at or above that reporting level.
Health Risks from Detected Contaminants
Radium-228
High RiskEPA reference value: 5 pCi/L (MCL for combined Radium-226 & 228)
Increased cancer risk, including bone cancer (known carcinogen)
At-risk groups: people who drink water with radium above the MCL over many years
Treatment options (verify a product is certified to reduce this contaminant): ion exchange (water softener), reverse osmosis, lime softening · Find a filter →
Radium-226
High RiskEPA reference value: 5 pCi/L (MCL for combined Radium-226 & 228)
Increased cancer risk, including bone cancer (known carcinogen)
At-risk groups: people who drink water with radium above the MCL over many years
Treatment options (verify a product is certified to reduce this contaminant): ion exchange (water softener), reverse osmosis, lime softening · Find a filter →
Environmental Hazards (11) HIGH
Home & Infrastructure (6) OK
Cost & Community (8) OK
CPSC product recall notices
These national notices are not matched to this ZIP code or water system.
Protect Your Home in Gulf Shores
Based on local data for ZIP 36542, 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 Gulf Shores has 9,454 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 36542 safe to drink?
EPA SDWIS records 68 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 36542 (primary system: City of Gulf Shores, the Ub of the), including 0 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 36542's water come from?
The recorded water source for City of Gulf Shores, the Ub of the, a system mapped to ZIP code 36542, is Groundwater. This system serves approximately 40,947 people.
How does Gulf Shores water compare to the national average?
Gulf Shores's Home Safety Score ranks better than 80% of U.S. ZIP codes, and at or above 87% within Alabama.
How can I get my water tested in Gulf Shores?
If City of Gulf Shores, the Ub of the 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 36542 tap water?
The Lead and Copper Rule record selected for 36542 reports a 90th-percentile lead result of 0.0024 mg/L for a water system mapped to this ZIP (record date 2025-12-31). 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 36542?
36542 is mapped to a county in EPA Radon Zone 3 (low county-level radon potential; EPA recommends testing every home), located in Baldwin County. EPA radon zones range from Zone 1 (highest county-level potential) to Zone 3 (lowest). Testing your home is recommended regardless of zone.
What does the NFIP claim history show for ZIP 36542?
FEMA records contain 9454 flood insurance claims filed in ZIP code 36542; the recorded rated-zone value (the most frequent one if there are several claims) is AE, which is claims evidence and may differ from the current FEMA map zone for a property. This is a substantial claim history, but claim count is not a count of distinct events or properties. Review FEMA's map for the specific property.
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (2026). Gulf Shores, AL (36542): 68 Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 88/100. https://zipcheckup.com/report/36542/
@misc{zipcheckup-report-36542,
author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Gulf Shores, AL (36542): 68 Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 88/100}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/36542/}
}
Page version: October 2026.
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 36542
| ZIP Code | City, State | Distance | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36511 | Bon Secour, AL | 3.0 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 36547 | Gulf Shores, AL | 3.9 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 36555 | Magnolia Springs, AL | 8.9 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 36535 | Foley, AL | 9.9 mi | A | 34 |
| 36561 | Orange Beach, AL | 10.6 mi | B | 68 |
| 36536 | Foley, AL | 10.9 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 36530 | Elberta, AL | 13.2 mi | A | 40 |
| 36580 | Summerdale, AL | 14.5 mi | A | 6 |
| 36533 | Fairhope, AL | 15.9 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 36564 | Point Clear, AL | 16.9 mi | N/A | 5 |
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
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ZIP 36542 scores in the top tier nationally.