Is Leighton, AL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B, with 9 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
75/100
waterverge.com Leighton, AL — Water Quality Report
Leighton's drinking water received a grade of B (75 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,445 residents using purchased ground 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 41 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
What to know about Leighton's water
Leighton ranks #296 out of 353 cities in Alabama for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
Leighton purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
As a small community water system, Leighton may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 9 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Leighton, AL water safe to drink?
Leighton's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (75/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,445 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Leighton
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Leighton's water quality assessment. Grade: B (75/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3618). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
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 Leighton's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Leighton's water system has 41 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved. 9 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Colbert County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1991. 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 Tennessee River.
Where does Leighton's water come from?
Leighton's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 2,445 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Tennessee River (river).
What Leighton residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Leighton'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.
Leighton'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 Leighton
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Leighton, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 550 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
WISE ALLOYS-ALABAMA RECLAMATION PLANT MUSCLE SHOALS, AL35661 | Ammonia | 534 | 7.3 mi |
FLEXCO CORP TUSCUMBIA, AL35674 | Zinc compounds | 12 | 9.2 mi |
U.S. TVA MUSCLE SHOALS MUSCLE SHOALS, AL35662 | Lead | 4 | 7.8 mi |
OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL CORP MUSCLE SHOALS, AL35661 | Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds | 0 | 8.0 mi |
WISE ALLOYS LLC - ALLOYS PLANT MUSCLE SHOALS, AL35661 | — | — | 5.9 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtColbert 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
Colbert County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1991. 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 Leighton compares by contaminant
Explore where Leighton ranks among all Alabama cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Leighton's water comes from
Leighton purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Leighton's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.
Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,445 people through 2 water systems.
Water bodies near Leighton
Leighton is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Leighton
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAGRANGE MOUNTAIN WATER AUTHORITY | AL0000318 | 1,242 | GWP |
| LEIGHTON, WSB OF THE TOWN OF | AL0000319 | 1,203 | GW |
How Leighton compares
Full Alabama rankings →Leighton's score of 75/100 is on par with the average of 78/100 among major Alabama cities. It outscores 3 of 10 nearby cities. 7 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Alabama rankings →About Leighton, AL
Wikipedia →Leighton is a town in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Florence - Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Statistical Area known as "The Shoals". At the 2020 census, the population was 665. Leighton has been hit by several tornadoes in the 2000s, including a damaging EF2 on May 8, 2008, that was caught on tape flipping over many cars and damaging buildings.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Leighton's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Colbert
Frequently asked questions
Is Leighton, AL tap water safe to drink?
Leighton's water quality earned a grade of B (75/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #296 out of 353 cities tested in Alabama.
What contaminants are in Leighton's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 41 violations are on record.
How is Leighton'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 Leighton?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Leighton's water come from?
Leighton's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,445 residents.
What health violations has Leighton's water system had?
Leighton has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 9 violations remain unresolved.
Is Leighton's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Leighton 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 41 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 Leighton's water compare to other cities?
Leighton ranks #296 out of 353 cities in Alabama (better than 16% of state cities) and #9698 out of 15744 cities nationally (38th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.