Cottonwood Water Works
EPA ID: AL0000677 · 3,570 people served · 3 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA records for Cottonwood Water Works (AL0000677): 2 violations recorded with unresolved status in the SDWIS data used. Cottonwood Water Works | open status in EPA data: 2 violations | people served: about 3,570.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Cottonwood Water Works Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Demographics of ZIP Codes Served
The ZIP codes associated with Cottonwood Water Works have a median household income of $49,124 and about 43,233 residents live in those ZIP codes (Census; not the number of people this system supplies). Approximately 56% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: On average, 68% of census tracts in the counties mapped to this service area are designated disadvantaged by the federal Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST, 2022 version). 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?
Cottonwood Water Works's water is classified in EPA records as a groundwater source. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
Infrastructure Risk
PFAS in ZIP Codes This System Serves
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with the ZIP codes in this system's area. These results can come from other water systems serving the same ZIP codes; check the UCMR5 section for any results reported for this system. 1 detection recorded.
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
Cottonwood Water Works (EPA ID: AL0000677) is a community water system in Alabama that serves approximately 3,570 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 3 resolved, 29 archived, 0 addressed, and 2 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 7, 2024 | Public Notice | Non-health-based | Unaddressed (current) |
| October 17, 2024 | LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | Health-based | Unaddressed (current) |
| January 1, 2023 | Endrin | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | BHC-GAMMA | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Methoxychlor | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Toxaphene | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Dalapon | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Diquat | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Endothall | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Glyphosate | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | OXAMYL | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Simazine | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Picloram | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Dinoseb | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Carbofuran | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2023 | Atrazine | Non-health-based | Archived |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | Treatment Technique, Monitoring & Reporting | 2 | Yes |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 2 | No |
| Endrin | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| BHC-GAMMA | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Methoxychlor | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Toxaphene | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Dalapon | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Diquat | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Endothall | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Glyphosate | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| OXAMYL | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Simazine | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | Monitoring & Reporting | 1 | No |
| Picloram | Other Violation | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0017 mg/L | No | 2023-12-31 |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
Radon Risk in Service Area
3 of 3 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 3.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by AL or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View available EPA compliance records for Cottonwood Water Works (AL0000677) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cottonwood Water Works water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows 1 current health-based noncompliance record for Cottonwood Water Works. Review the utility's current notices and EPA record. This system-level compliance history cannot determine conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Cottonwood Water Works serve?
Cottonwood Water Works serves approximately 3,570 people across 3 ZIP codes in Alabama.
Where does Cottonwood Water Works get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: No PFAS Reported Above Reporting Levels
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were reported above UCMR5 minimum reporting levels.
EPA's April 2024 PFAS rule sets MCLs of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS and 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA (GenX); water systems must comply from 2029. Other PFAS compounds have no individual federal MCL. A state standard is shown only where this system's state has its own enforceable PFAS limit. Detection results are EPA UCMR5 samples, not a measurement at your tap.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Cottonwood Water Works (AL): 1 Health Violation. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/al0000677/
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author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Cottonwood Water Works (AL): 1 Health Violation}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/al0000677/}
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What You Can Do
Test your water
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Check your specific ZIP code
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Contact your utility
Cottonwood Water Works (EPA ID: AL0000677) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.