Is Carbon Hill, AL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Carbon Hill ranks. What to do next ↓
92.9/100
waterverge.com Carbon Hill, AL — Water Quality Report
Carbon Hill's drinking water received a grade of A (92.9 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,159 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 13 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
What to know about Carbon Hill's water
Carbon Hill ranks #51 out of 353 cities in Alabama for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Carbon Hill may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 6 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Carbon Hill, AL water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, Carbon Hill's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (92.9/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,159 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Carbon Hill
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Carbon Hill's water quality assessment. Grade: A (92.9/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3618). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3545). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Carbon Hill's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Carbon Hill's water system has 13 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved. 6 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Walker County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Carbon Hill's water come from?
Carbon Hill's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 3,159 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Carbon Hill residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Carbon Hill's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Carbon Hill
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Carbon Hill, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS INC. PLANT 192 LYNN, AL35575 | — | — | 9.9 mi |
HIXSON LUMBER CO LLC NAUVOO, AL35578 | — | — | 5.7 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtWalker County is currently in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Walker County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1975. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Carbon Hill compares by contaminant
Explore where Carbon Hill ranks among all Alabama cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Carbon Hill's water comes from
Carbon Hill's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 3,159 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Carbon Hill
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARBON HILL UTILITIES BOARD | AL0001324 | 3,159 | SWP |
How Carbon Hill compares
Full Alabama rankings →Carbon Hill's score of 92.9/100 is above the average of 78/100 among major Alabama cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Alabama rankings →About Carbon Hill, AL
Wikipedia →Carbon Hill is a city in Walker County, Alabama, United States. It incorporated in February 1891. As of the 2020 census, Carbon Hill had a population of 1,769.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Carbon Hill's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Walker
Frequently asked questions
Is Carbon Hill, AL tap water safe to drink?
Carbon Hill's water quality earned a grade of A (92.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #51 out of 353 cities tested in Alabama.
What contaminants are in Carbon Hill's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 13 violations are on record.
How is Carbon Hill's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Carbon Hill?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Carbon Hill's water come from?
Carbon Hill's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 3,159 residents.
What health violations has Carbon Hill's water system had?
Carbon Hill has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2021. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
How does Carbon Hill's water compare to other cities?
Carbon Hill ranks #51 out of 353 cities in Alabama (better than 86% of state cities) and #1053 out of 15744 cities nationally (93th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Carbon Hill's small water system affect quality?
Carbon Hill's system serves approximately 3,159 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 13 violations on record.