Monitoring Violations AL

City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the

EPA ID: AL0000577 · 44,637 people served · 8 ZIP codes

Pulled from the federal compliance ledger, 1 violation at City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the remain without resolution — the utility delivers drinking water to roughly 44,637 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

B · 77
Avg Safety Score
44,637
People Served
8
ZIP Codes Served
6
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0025 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
3
Contaminants Flagged
$174K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$56,004
Median Household Income
88,157
Service Area Population
77%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
64%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the serves a community with a median household income of $56,004 and an estimated 88,157 residents across its service area. Approximately 64% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 77% 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?

Surface Water

City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 0% of homes in Etowah County, Alabama rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

51 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
17 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 75% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 4 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns
Chlorite 1 mg/L (100% of limit)
0 EPA Limit: 1 mg/L
Anemia and nervous system effects in infants and children

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 64 detections recorded. 16 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 16 exceed state limits.

State limits: PFOA: 0.004 ppt, PFOS: 0.004 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Alabama

B 0 violations
B 0 violations
Phenix City Utilities
42,267 people
B 12 violations
C 4 violations
Enterprise Water Works
48,000 people
A 3 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,050
PFAS Treatment $600
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $38
Total Estimated Cost $2,088

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,088 (one-time) vs. $10,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the (EPA ID: AL0000577) is a community water system in Alabama that serves approximately 44,637 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 8 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: B (77/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

6 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
May 18, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Resolved
February 23, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 4 No
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Chlorite Disinfection Byproducts 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
35901 0.0025 mg/L No N/A
35902 0.0025 mg/L No N/A
35903 0.0025 mg/L No N/A
35904 0.0025 mg/L No N/A
35905 0.0025 mg/L No N/A
35907 0.0025 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 6 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 2 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the (AL0000577) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the water safe to drink?

City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the serve?

City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the serves approximately 44,637 people across 8 ZIP codes in Alabama.

Where does City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
(256) 543-2884
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Address
515 Albert Rains Blvd., Gadsden, AL

Contact information from Gadsden Water Works & Sewer Board Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Surface water
Drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorinegranular activated carbon

Source: Gadsden Water Works & Sewer Board Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Source water assessment from Gadsden Water Works & Sewer Board Consumer Confidence Report:
A susceptibility analysis identified several contaminant sources that potentially could affect the quality of the source water, as well as affect the operation of the C. B. Collier Water Treatment Plant. Gadsden Water developed a Water Supply Contingency Plan and monitors various points along Neely Henry Lake.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Advanced
Advanced treatment that may include ozonation, ultraviolet disinfection, activated-carbon filtration, or membrane filtration. Used when source water has elevated contamination risk or to remove disinfection byproducts.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine
Other reported chemicals
Reported by the utility but not in our annotation dictionary.
granular activated carbon

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Gadsden Water Works & Sewer Board Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Above Current MCL

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). One or more PFAS compounds were measured above the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
116
Detections
29
Latest sample
4/2/2024
Highest analyte
PFBS: 155.4 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOS 32.4 ppt 10 ppt Above current MCL
PFOA 32 ppt 10 ppt Above current MCL
PFBS 155.4 ppt
PFPeA 56.5 ppt
PFHxA 34.9 ppt
PFBA 19.1 ppt

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

PFAS Substances Detected in This System

This water system's Consumer Confidence Report disclosed the following PFAS compounds. Levels are from the utility's most recent reporting cycle.

Substance Detected level EPA limit Status
PFOA
Perfluorooctanoic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
17 ppt 4 ppt Above EPA limit
PFOS
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
11 ppt 4 ppt Above EPA limit

In April 2024, EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply. EPA — PFAS regulation overview →

Source: Consumer Confidence Report disclosed by Gadsden Water Works & Sewer Board.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.

Learn more about PFAS health effects and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

8
Confirmed Lead
12,496
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
3,057
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 44,637
Reported to Alabama

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the safe to drink?
City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the earns a B safety grade with 6 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Chlorite. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the serve?
City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the serves approximately 44,637 people with drinking water across 8 ZIP codes.
What is City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the's water source?
City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0025 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the's service area?
The City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the service area has a median household income of $56,004. EPA EJScreen data classifies 77% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the get its water?
City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the'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. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the (EPA ID: AL0000577) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Alabama City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the

Get safety alerts for City of Gadsden, the Wwsb of the, Alabama

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.