Alabama Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Alabama, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Gadsden Water Works And Sewer Board has the highest PFAS in Alabama at 155.4 ppt (39x the EPA limit). Camden Water & Sewer Department has the highest lead at 38 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Alabama
Public water systems in Alabama with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gadsden Water Works And Sewer Board | Gadsden · 44,637 served | 155.4 | 8 | 39x |
| 2 | Northeast Etowah County Water Co-Op | Gadsden · 4,275 served | 140 | 7 | 35x |
| 3 | Highland Water Authority | Gadsden · 3,963 served | 134.3 | 7 | 34x |
| 4 | West Etowah Water & Fire Pro Authority | Attalla · 6,900 served | 120 | 7 | 30x |
| 5 | Shelby County Water System | Sterrett · 40,101 served | 113.5 | 7 | 28x |
| 6 | Sterrett-Vandiver Water System | Sterrett · 3,252 served | 110 | 7 | 28x |
| 7 | Pell City Water Works | Pell City · 17,586 served | 94 | 7 | 24x |
| 8 | Prattville (Water Works Board Of) | Prattville · 46,614 served | 88.3 | 7 | 22x |
| 9 | Alabaster Water Board | Alabaster · 41,061 served | 85 | 7 | 21x |
| 10 | Wetumpka Water Works & Sewer Board | Wetumpka · 10,137 served | 82 | 7 | 21x |
| 11 | Tri Community Water System | Millbrook · 11,832 served | 73 | 7 | 18x |
| 12 | Marbury Water System, Inc. | Marbury · 8,670 served | 73 | 7 | 18x |
Highest Lead Levels in Alabama
Community water systems in Alabama with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camden Water & Sewer Department | Camden · 4,170 served | 38 | 2.5x over |
| 2 | Slocomb Water Works & Sewer Board | Slocomb · 3,630 served | 35 | 2.3x over |
| 3 | Mexia Water System, Inc. | Mexia · 2,532 served | 31 | 2.1x over |
| 4 | Clayton Water Works & Sewer | Clayton · 2,064 served | 30.6 | 2.0x over |
| 5 | Frisco City Water System | Frisco City · 2,100 served | 27 | 1.8x over |
| 6 | East Lauderdale County Water Authority | Rogersville · 10,296 served | 23 | 1.5x over |
| 7 | Excel, Town Of | Excel · 3,600 served | 18 | 1.2x over |
| 8 | Mulga Water Department | Mulga · 5,991 served | 17 | 1.1x over |
| 9 | Mccall Water System Inc | Brewton · 8,400 served | 15 | within |
| 10 | Escambia Community Utilities LLC | Atmore · 1,500 served | 13.5 | within |
| 11 | Brantley Water Works | Brantley · 1,458 served | 13 | within |
| 12 | East Central Baldwin County Water & Fpa | Robertsdale · 5,496 served | 13 | within |
Most EPA Violations in Alabama
Community water systems in Alabama with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dekalb-Jackson Water Supply District | Ider · 32,421 served | 22 |
| 2 | Cwm Water Authority | Dickinson · 1,749 served | 22 |
| 3 | Tuskegee, Utilities Board Of The City Of | Tuskegee · 12,900 served | 8 |
| 4 | Prichard Water Works Board | Prichard · 28,803 served | 7 |
| 5 | Double Springs, Town Of W&S Board | Double Springs · 6,075 served | 7 |
| 6 | Gilbertown, Utilities Board Of Town Of | Gilbertown · 8,157 served | 7 |
| 7 | Glen Allen Water System | Glen Allen · 1,500 served | 7 |
| 8 | Jackson County Water Authority | Scottsboro · 7,800 served | 5 |
| 9 | Star-Mindingall Water Authority | Tuskegee · 1,962 served | 5 |
| 10 | Us Army Garrison-Redstone Arsenal | Redstone Arsenal · 44,472 served | 4 |
| 11 | Perdido Bay Water Sewer & Fpd | Elberta · 12,765 served | 4 |
| 12 | Vernon Water And Sewer Board | Vernon · 9,801 served | 4 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Alabama?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Gadsden Water Works And Sewer Board in Gadsden had the highest recorded PFAS level in Alabama at 155.4 ppt - about 39x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Alabama water system has the highest lead levels?
Camden Water & Sewer Department in Camden had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Alabama under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 38 ppb - 2.5x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Alabama water system has the most EPA violations?
Dekalb-Jackson Water Supply District in Ider has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Alabama, with 22 violations.
Where does the Alabama water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Alabama Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Alabama water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.