Is Louisville, AL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D+, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
52/100
waterverge.com Louisville, AL — Water Quality Report
Louisville's drinking water received a grade of D+ (52 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,350 residents using groundwater.
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 77 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
What to know about Louisville's water
Louisville ranks #339 out of 353 cities in Alabama for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
Louisville 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, Louisville may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 72 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Louisville, AL water safe to drink?
Louisville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (52/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,350 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Louisville
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Louisville's water quality assessment. Grade: D+ (52/100).
Contaminants: Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Styrene.
Contaminants: 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane.
Contaminants: Nitrate.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3618). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4563). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Louisville's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Louisville's water system has 77 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 72 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Barbour County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2004. 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 Louisville's water come from?
Louisville's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,350 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Louisville residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Louisville'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.
Louisville'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 Louisville
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Louisville, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
SOUTHEAST WOOD LOUISVILLE, AL36048 | — | — | 0.6 mi |
PROWOOD LLC LOUISVILLE LOUISVILLE, AL36048 | — | — | 0.7 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtBarbour County is currently in D3 (extreme 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
Barbour County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2004. 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 Louisville compares by contaminant
Explore where Louisville ranks among all Alabama cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Louisville's water comes from
Louisville's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
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 1,350 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Louisville
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOUISVILLE WATER WORKS | AL0000088 | 1,350 | GW |
How Louisville compares
Full Alabama rankings →Louisville's score of 52/100 is below the average of 78/100 among major Alabama cities. It outscores 1 of 10 nearby cities. 9 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Alabama rankings →About Louisville, AL
Wikipedia →Louisville is a town in Barbour County, Alabama, United States. Founded in 1817 in former Creek territory, it holds the distinctive honor of having served as county seat for two different Alabama counties - Pike County (1821) and later Barbour County (1832–1834). Known historically as "Little Scotland" due to its Scotch-Irish settlers.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Louisville's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Barbour
Frequently asked questions
Is Louisville, AL tap water safe to drink?
Louisville's water quality earned a grade of D+ (52/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #339 out of 353 cities tested in Alabama.
What contaminants are in Louisville's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 77 violations are on record.
How is Louisville'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 Louisville?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Louisville's water come from?
Louisville's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,350 residents.
Is Louisville's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Louisville 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 77 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 Louisville's water compare to other cities?
Louisville ranks #339 out of 353 cities in Alabama (better than 4% of state cities) and #12824 out of 15744 cities nationally (19th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Louisville's small water system affect quality?
Louisville's system serves approximately 1,350 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 77 violations on record.