WaterQ
Alabama State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is Birmingham tap water safe to drink?

✓ Generally Safe
A

Mostly yes — Birmingham scores 96/100.

Safety Score
96
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in Birmingham?

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Birmingham

Alabama

View Alabama state report Data updated: Mar 2026

Is Birmingham tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Birmingham scores 96/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 2 local systems in Birmingham. We found 3 total violations (0 unresolved).

Real-Time Environment

Live: 03:30 PM
0mm Precipitation

☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in Birmingham.

Water Quality Impact

✅ Minimal Impact Localized weather conditions may influence test result variability.

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Birmingham?

Requirement Status
Optional
🟢
💡

Expert Advice

Your water quality is excellent. Standard filtration is optional but can further enhance taste.

Buying a Filter?

Filter or no filter for Birmingham water? Here's what the data says.

Baby Formula Safety

What new parents in Birmingham should know about tap water safety.

Homebuyer's Perspective

Water quality is easy to overlook when evaluating a move to Birmingham, but it can affect plumbing longevity and appliance lifespan. The high safety score (96/100) suggests lower risk for plumbing corrosion and appliance scaling.

Property Impact: Positive / Stable

Health & Family Safety

Residents should monitor Chlorine levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Compliance Record for Birmingham

3
Violations (5yr)
0
Unresolved
8
Contaminants Tracked
2
Exceeding EPA Limit

Based on EPA SDWIS violation records and contaminant test results for all water systems serving Birmingham.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Birmingham tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Birmingham scores 96/100.

How many water systems serve Birmingham?

Birmingham is served by 2 public water systems in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

How can I check water quality for my exact address in Birmingham?

Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Birmingham.

What is the water quality score for Birmingham?

The water quality score for Birmingham is 96 out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.

What are the top contaminants in Birmingham?

The top contaminants detected in Birmingham include Chlorine, Radium-228, PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid). View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
96/100
Grade
A
Water Systems
4
Population
593,400

Birmingham Water Quality Summary

Birmingham, AL receives a water quality score of 96/100 (Grade A) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 4 public water systems serving the area.

Birmingham's water quality is above the national average, with strong compliance records and low contaminant levels. Residents generally receive clean, safe tap water that meets EPA standards.

Birmingham's score of 96 is 10 points above the Alabama state average of 86, and above the nationwide average of roughly 78/100 across all U.S. states.

Residents and prospective homebuyers in this large Alabama city can expect highly reliable tap water, even with the local supply originating from river basins characterized by Deep South agricultural and industrial activity. A network of multiple water systems coordinates the treatment and delivery across this major metropolitan area, successfully maintaining exemplary standards. This robust performance provides peace of mind for households throughout Birmingham, showing that the city's infrastructure effectively mitigates regional environmental challenges.

Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology → Read our Alabama water quality rankings report →

Key Contaminants

Chlorine Violation
9.6602 / 4 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 4 mg/L
Radium-228 Violation
6.6893 / 5 pCi/L
0 pCi/L MCL: 5 pCi/L
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid)
0.0038 / 0.004 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 0.004 μg/L
Lead
13.6985 / 15 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 15 μg/L
PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate)
0.0035 / 0.004 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 0.004 μg/L
Mercury
1.7312 / 2 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 2 μg/L
Arsenic
8.3899 / 10 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 10 μg/L
Manganese
34.555 / 50 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 50 μg/L

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Water Systems Serving Birmingham (2)

Related

Compare Birmingham water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality