Alabama Water Quality Report: 1,571 Violations Across 819 ZIPs
736 water systems · 819 ZIP codes · 1,571 violations · Updated 2026-05-31
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified: 2026-05-31
City Water Quality Map: Alabama
Each circle represents a city. Size indicates population, color indicates water quality grade. Tap a circle for details.
Violation Trend
EPA violations across all water systems in Alabama.
Cities with Most Violations in Alabama
| # | City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mobile | A | 144 | 1 | 279,000 | Details → |
| 2 | Birmingham | B | 126 | 2 | 585,246 | Details → |
| 3 | Phenix City | B | 48 | 2 | 59,190 | Details → |
| 4 | Bessemer | B | 44 | 4 | 125,417 | Details → |
| 5 | Tuscaloosa | B | 40 | 3 | 182,331 | Details → |
| 6 | Jasper | B | 40 | 4 | 57,234 | Details → |
| 7 | Atmore | A | 39 | 3 | 16,974 | Details → |
| 8 | Gadsden | B | 36 | 5 | 56,559 | Details → |
| 9 | Selma | C | 27 | 3 | 34,824 | Details → |
| 10 | Dothan | A | 25 | 3 | 104,058 | Details → |
Cities with Best Water Quality in Alabama
| # | City | Grade | Score | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linden | A | 99/100 | 2 | 9,519 |
| 2 | Highland Home | A | 99/100 | 1 | 8,358 |
| 3 | Frisco City | A | 99/100 | 1 | 2,100 |
| 4 | Monroeville | A | 96/100 | 1 | 9,885 |
| 5 | Myrtlewood | A | 95/100 | 1 | 4,095 |
| 6 | Florala | A | 95/100 | 1 | 3,834 |
| 7 | Axis | A | 95/100 | 1 | 3,825 |
| 8 | Flomaton | A | 95/100 | 1 | 2,409 |
| 9 | Pine Hill | A | 95/100 | 1 | 2,361 |
| 10 | Beatrice | A | 93/100 | 1 | 1,485 |
Most Common Contaminants in Alabama
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 427 | 155 | Yes |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 188 | 146 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 180 | 154 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 100 | 58 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 87 | 61 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 82 | 50 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 65 | 56 | No |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 42 | 34 | No |
| Contaminant 4100 | Other | 38 | 30 | No |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other | 34 | 34 | No |
Water Quality Overview
Alabama has 736 community water systems serving approximately 18,518,836 people across 819 ZIP codes. These systems have accumulated 1,571 EPA violations, including 185 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 12% of all violations in Alabama. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health, as opposed to monitoring or reporting failures.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 185 | 11.8% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 1,386 | 88.2% |
| Total | 1,571 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report — these do not necessarily mean unsafe water, but they mean the water was not properly verified.
Cities with Most Violations
The following cities in Alabama have the highest number of EPA violations:
| Rank | City | Grade | Violations | Water Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mobile | A | 144 | 1 | 279,000 |
| 2 | Birmingham | B | 126 | 2 | 585,246 |
| 3 | Phenix City | B | 48 | 2 | 59,190 |
| 4 | Bessemer | B | 44 | 4 | 125,417 |
| 5 | Tuscaloosa | B | 40 | 3 | 182,331 |
| 6 | Jasper | B | 40 | 4 | 57,234 |
| 7 | Atmore | A | 39 | 3 | 16,974 |
| 8 | Gadsden | B | 36 | 5 | 56,559 |
| 9 | Selma | C | 27 | 3 | 34,824 |
| 10 | Dothan | A | 25 | 3 | 104,058 |
Violation counts are cumulative across all water systems serving each city. Higher counts may reflect larger systems with more monitoring requirements, not necessarily worse water quality.
Cities with Best Water Quality
These Alabama cities maintain Grade A water with zero violations:
| Rank | City | Grade | Score | Water Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linden | A | 99/100 | 2 | 9,519 |
| 2 | Highland Home | A | 99/100 | 1 | 8,358 |
| 3 | Frisco City | A | 99/100 | 1 | 2,100 |
| 4 | Monroeville | A | 96/100 | 1 | 9,885 |
| 5 | Myrtlewood | A | 95/100 | 1 | 4,095 |
| 6 | Florala | A | 95/100 | 1 | 3,834 |
| 7 | Axis | A | 95/100 | 1 | 3,825 |
| 8 | Flomaton | A | 95/100 | 1 | 2,409 |
| 9 | Pine Hill | A | 95/100 | 1 | 2,361 |
| 10 | Beatrice | A | 93/100 | 1 | 1,485 |
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded across all water systems in Alabama:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 20 | 20 |
| 2022 | 74 | 74 |
| 2023 | 123 | 123 |
| 2024 | 153 | 153 |
| 2025 | 69 | 69 |
Violations have increased from 20 in 2021 to 69 in 2025. This trend warrants monitoring and may reflect expanded testing requirements rather than worsening quality.
Most Common Contaminants
The following contaminants have caused the most violations across Alabama water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 427 | 155 | Yes |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 188 | 146 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 180 | 154 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 100 | 58 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 87 | 61 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 82 | 50 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 65 | 56 | No |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 42 | 34 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 24 | 21 | Yes |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 10 | 10 | Yes |
How to Check Your Water in Alabama
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water system data including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
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)
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 5,340 enforcement actions against water systems in Alabama. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Updated daily.
What are EPA 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. Alabama has 185 such violations across its water systems. Not all violations cause illness, but repeated exceedances increase risk, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals.
Understanding water quality grades
ZipCheckup grades water systems from A to F based on EPA violation history, contaminant levels, and system compliance. Grade A means few or no violations; Grade F indicates persistent or serious issues. Grades are calculated per ZIP code and aggregated at the city, county, and state level.
Wondering about your tap water?
Water quality varies by ZIP code. Enter yours to see contaminant data, violations, and filtration recommendations specific to your area.
Check Your ZIP Code Water Quality →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Alabama?
Alabama has 736 community water systems with 1,571 recorded EPA violations, including 185 health-based. Water quality varies by city and ZIP code — check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does Alabama have?
Alabama has 1,571 total EPA violations across 819 ZIP codes. 185 are health-based violations that indicate contaminant levels potentially harmful to human health. The remainder are monitoring or reporting violations.
Which city in Alabama has the worst water quality?
Mobile, AL has the most EPA violations among major cities in Alabama with 144 recorded violations. Check individual ZIP codes for the most accurate picture of your local water quality.
Which city in Alabama has the best water quality?
Linden, AL ranks among the best for water quality in Alabama with a grade of A. Multiple cities in Alabama maintain strong EPA compliance records.
What contaminants are found in Alabama drinking water?
Alabama water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. The most common violations vary by region — check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.