Water System Report AL

Bethel Water System

EPA ID: AL0001149 · 4,398 people served · 1 ZIP code

For the full five-year period covered by EPA monitoring, Bethel Water System has supplied tap water to 4,398 residents with no violations of any type on record.

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

B · 83
Avg Safety Score
4,398
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.003 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
0
Contaminants Flagged
$289K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Bethel Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$92,723
Median Household Income
5,121
Service Area Population
9%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
31%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Bethel Water System serves a community with a median household income of $92,723 and an estimated 5,121 residents across its service area.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Bethel Water System's water is pumped from underground aquifers. 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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Shelby 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

34 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
36 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 49% of expected lifespan used End of life

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.

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 →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Alabama

Moundville (city Of)
4,404 people
B 1 violation
0 violations
Friendship Water Works
4,425 people
0 violations
Jemison Water Works
4,365 people
B 2 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $1,200
PFAS Treatment $600
Radon Mitigation $400
Total Estimated Cost $2,200

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:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

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

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,200 (one-time) vs. $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

Bethel Water System (EPA ID: AL0001149) is a community water system in Alabama that serves approximately 4,398 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 35186 in Wilsonville.

Average Home Safety Score: B (83/100)

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

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
35186 0.003 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: 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 the full compliance record for Bethel Water System (AL0001149) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bethel Water System water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Bethel Water System has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Bethel Water System serve?

Bethel Water System serves approximately 4,398 people across 1 ZIP code in Alabama.

Where does Bethel Water System get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
58

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 →

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
1,661
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

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: 4,398
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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Bethel Water System safe to drink?
Bethel Water System earns a B safety grade with 0 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
Should I use a water filter?
Bethel Water System meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Bethel Water System serve?
Bethel Water System serves approximately 4,398 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Bethel Water System's water source?
Bethel Water System draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Bethel Water System's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.003 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Bethel Water System's service area?
The Bethel Water System service area has a median household income of $92,723. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Bethel Water System get its water?
Bethel Water System's water is pumped from underground aquifers. 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. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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