Is Hollins, AL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
88.2/100
waterverge.com Hollins, AL — Water Quality Report
Hollins's drinking water received a grade of A- (88.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,269 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.2 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 30 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Hollins's water
Hollins ranks #145 out of 353 cities in Alabama for water quality, placing it mid-range 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, Hollins may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 8 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Hollins, AL water safe to drink?
Hollins's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (88.2/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,269 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Hollins
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Hollins's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88.2/100).
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-4573). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Hollins's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Hollins's water system has 30 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 8 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Clay County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1979. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Shirtee Creek.
Where does Hollins's water come from?
Hollins's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,269 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Shirtee Creek (river).
What Hollins 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.
Hollins'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 Hollins
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Hollins, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
BLUE BELL- SYLACAUGA PLANT SYLACAUGA, AL35150 | — | — | 8.1 mi |
HARRELL'S COATINGS SOLUTIONS LLC SYLACAUGA, AL35150 | — | — | 8.9 mi |
HARRELL'S COATINGS SOLUTIONS LLC SYLACAUGA, AL35150 | — | — | 9.3 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtClay 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
Clay County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1979. 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. | 0.2 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Hollins compares by contaminant
Explore where Hollins ranks among all Alabama cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Hollins's water comes from
Hollins'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 1,269 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Hollins
Hollins is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Hollins
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOLLINS WATER AUTHORITY | AL0000245 | 1,269 | SWP |
How Hollins compares
Full Alabama rankings →Hollins's score of 88.2/100 is above the average of 78/100 among major Alabama cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Alabama rankings →About Hollins, AL
Wikipedia →Hollins is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in southwest Clay County, Alabama, United States. Its population was 517 as of the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Hollins's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Clay
Frequently asked questions
Is Hollins, AL tap water safe to drink?
Hollins's water quality earned a grade of A- (88.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #145 out of 353 cities tested in Alabama.
What contaminants are in Hollins's water?
Lead was measured at 0.2 ppb (90th percentile). 30 violations are on record.
How is Hollins'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 Hollins?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Hollins's water come from?
Hollins's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,269 residents.
What health violations has Hollins's water system had?
Hollins has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
How does Hollins's water compare to other cities?
Hollins ranks #145 out of 353 cities in Alabama (better than 59% of state cities) and #3599 out of 15744 cities nationally (77th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Hollins's small water system affect quality?
Hollins's system serves approximately 1,269 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 30 violations on record.