01The verdict: is Harpersville water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Harpersville's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (94.7/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,550 residents using groundwater (wells).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in Harpersville's water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 4.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
10 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Harpersville's drinking water received a grade of A (94.7 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,550 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 4.0 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 6 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
Harpersville ranks #27 out of 351 cities in Alabama for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state. Harpersville relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff. As a small community water system, Harpersville may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Harpersville's water
Every contaminant flagged in Harpersville, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 4.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Alabama
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Alabama
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Harpersville's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 6 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Harpersville.
▼ Down 1 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 4 ppb (2023) — 27% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Harpersville's water comes from
Harpersville's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
2,550 people
Residents served across Harpersville's service area.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals. Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,550 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HARPERSVILLE WATER BOARD | AL0001156 | 2,550 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Harpersville
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Harpersville's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 32k lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Shelby County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Superfund proximity
2 National Priorities List sites within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
06How Harpersville compares
Scores for nearby Alabama cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Alabama average (78/100)
Harpersville scores 94.7/100 — above the Alabama average of 78/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full Alabama rankings →
89.2 / 100CHuntsville, AL
69.8 / 100AMontgomery, AL
88.7 / 100AMobile, AL
87.9 / 100ATuscaloosa, AL
87.6 / 100BBessemer, AL
72.5 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Harpersville's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Harpersville's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Harpersville alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Harpersville, AL tap water safe to drink?
Harpersville's water quality earned a grade of A (94.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #27 out of 351 cities tested in Alabama.
What contaminants are in Harpersville's water?
Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 6 violations are on record.
How is Harpersville'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 Harpersville?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Harpersville's water come from?
Harpersville's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,550 residents.
Is Harpersville's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Harpersville uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 6 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Harpersville's water compare to other cities?
Harpersville ranks #27 out of 351 cities in Alabama (better than 92% of state cities) and #440 out of 15382 cities nationally (97th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Harpersville's small water system affect quality?
Harpersville'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 6 violations on record.