Cherokee Water & Gas Department
EPA ID: AL0000311 · 1,992 people served · 1 ZIP code
In every reporting cycle over the past five years, Cherokee Water & Gas Department has come through without a single EPA violation — a consistent performance across the full service population of approximately 1,992 residents that reflects both well-maintained infrastructure and reliable operational oversight.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Cherokee Water & Gas Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Service Area Demographics
The Cherokee Water & Gas Department serves a community with a median household income of $47,083 and an estimated 3,681 residents across its service area. Approximately 71% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 43% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Cherokee Water & Gas Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Colbert County, Alabama rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.
Infrastructure Risk
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 8 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 2 exceed state limits.
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Alabama
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Cherokee Water & Gas Department (EPA ID: AL0000311) is a community water system in Alabama that serves approximately 1,992 people from surface water sources.
This system serves ZIP code 35616 in Cherokee.
Violation History
Lead & Copper
No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
- 35616 — Cherokee
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Cherokee Water & Gas Department (AL0000311) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cherokee Water & Gas Department water safe to drink?
Based on EPA records, Cherokee Water & Gas Department has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.
How many people does Cherokee Water & Gas Department serve?
Cherokee Water & Gas Department serves approximately 1,992 people across 1 ZIP code in Alabama.
Where does Cherokee Water & Gas Department get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.