Is Goodwater, AL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 7 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
80.8/100
waterverge.com Goodwater, AL — Water Quality Report
Goodwater's drinking water received a grade of B+ (80.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,550 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.8 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 48 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
What to know about Goodwater's water
Goodwater ranks #250 out of 353 cities in Alabama for water quality, placing it below 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, Goodwater may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 11 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Goodwater, AL water safe to drink?
Goodwater's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (80.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,550 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Goodwater
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Goodwater's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (80.8/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3618). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4573). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Goodwater's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Goodwater's water system has 48 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved. 11 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Coosa County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1995. 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 Goodwater's water come from?
Goodwater's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,550 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Goodwater residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Goodwater's water.
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.
Goodwater'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
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtCoosa County is currently in D2 (severe 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
Coosa County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1995. 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. | 0.8 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Goodwater compares by contaminant
Explore where Goodwater ranks among all Alabama cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Goodwater's water comes from
Goodwater'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 2,550 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Goodwater
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOODWATER WTR WORKS & SEWER BD, CITY OF | AL0000351 | 2,550 | SWP |
How Goodwater compares
Full Alabama rankings →Goodwater's score of 80.8/100 is on par with the average of 78/100 among major Alabama cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Alabama rankings →About Goodwater, AL
Wikipedia →Goodwater is a town in Coosa County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 1,291. It is part of the Talladega-Sylacauga Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Goodwater's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Coosa
Frequently asked questions
Is Goodwater, AL tap water safe to drink?
Goodwater's water quality earned a grade of B+ (80.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #250 out of 353 cities tested in Alabama.
What contaminants are in Goodwater's water?
Lead was measured at 0.8 ppb (90th percentile). 48 violations are on record.
How is Goodwater'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 Goodwater?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Goodwater's water come from?
Goodwater's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,550 residents.
What health violations has Goodwater's water system had?
Goodwater has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 7 violations remain unresolved.
How does Goodwater's water compare to other cities?
Goodwater ranks #250 out of 353 cities in Alabama (better than 29% of state cities) and #7716 out of 15744 cities nationally (51th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Goodwater's small water system affect quality?
Goodwater's system serves approximately 2,550 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 48 violations on record.