WaterVerge

Is Newville, 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 ↓

900 residents served 1 water system PWSID: AL0000666
Overall Score
82.1 / 100
Violations
7 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#233 of 353 in Alabama Top 46% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
82.1/100
waterverge.com
B+ 82.1/100

Newville, AL — Water Quality Report

Newville's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 900 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 3.3 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 8 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Newville's water

Newville ranks #233 out of 353 cities in Alabama for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Newville 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, Newville may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
82.1 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
42.1/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
18/20
A
Lead at 3.3 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Newville, AL water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Newville's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (82.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 900 residents using groundwater (wells).

7
Active Violations
3.3 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Newville

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Newville's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (82.1/100).

Disaster
HURRICANE HELENE

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3618). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE SALLY

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3545). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Newville's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 3.3 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Newville's water system has 8 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

RPTMROther
Most recent violations:
Apr 2022 Revised Total Coliform Rule Open
Jan 2022 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jul 2019 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2019 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jan 2019 Lead and Copper Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Henry 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.

HURRICANE HELENE
Hurricane FEMA DR-3618
HURRICANE SALLY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3545
HURRICANE MICHAEL
Hurricane FEMA DR-4406

Where does Newville's water come from?

Newville's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 900 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Newville residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Newville's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

Newville'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
3.3 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 22% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

8
Total violations
0
Health-based
7
Active / unresolved
Apr 2022
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

8 Total
7 Active
0 Health-based
1 Resolved
Violations by category
Lead and Copper Rule
4
Revised Total Coliform Rule
1
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Total Coliform Rule
1
Apr 2022 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jan 2022 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2019 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2019 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2019 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2002 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2003 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 2003
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Newville

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Newville, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

Total reported releases to surface water: 11,857 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
RED STAR YEAST LLC / LESAFFRE YEAST CORP.
Food · LESAFFRE INTERNATIONAL
HEADLAND, AL36345
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)11,8571.6 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Newville

Superfund sites nearby

Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.

Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Henry 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.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
20.2%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Sep 2024
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Henry 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.

Sep 2024
HURRICANE HELENE
Hurricane FEMA #3618
Sep 2020
HURRICANE SALLY
Hurricane FEMA #3545
Nov 2018
HURRICANE MICHAEL
Hurricane FEMA #4406
Oct 2018
HURRICANE MICHAEL
Hurricane FEMA #3407
Oct 2017
HURRICANE NATE
Hurricane FEMA #3394
Sep 2017
HURRICANE IRMA
Hurricane FEMA #3389

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 3.3 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 1.7 ppb from 1993 (5.0 ppb) to 2021 (3.3 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
900
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Newville's water comes from

Groundwater

Newville'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 900 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Newville

System Name PWSID Population Source
NEWVILLE WATER SYSTEM AL0000666 900 GW
Regional Comparison

How Newville compares

Full Alabama rankings →

Newville's score of 82.1/100 is on par with the average of 78/100 among major Alabama cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.

Newville (this city)
82.1
Birmingham
89.2
Huntsville
69.8
Montgomery
88.7
Mobile
87.9
Tuscaloosa
87.6
Alabama avg
78
City Profile

About Newville, AL

Economic Profile
$31,458
Median Income
$87,638
Median Home Value
$823/mo
Median Rent
9.3%
Unemployment
Community
47.4
Median Age
48
People / sq mi
15.1%
College Educated
79.9%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Newville, AL tap water safe to drink?

Newville's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #233 out of 353 cities tested in Alabama.

What contaminants are in Newville's water?

Lead was measured at 3.3 ppb (90th percentile). 8 violations are on record.

How is Newville'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 Newville?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Newville's water come from?

Newville's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 900 residents.

Is Newville's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Newville 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 8 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 Newville's water compare to other cities?

Newville ranks #233 out of 353 cities in Alabama (better than 34% of state cities) and #7177 out of 15744 cities nationally (54th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Newville's small water system affect quality?

Newville's system serves approximately 900 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 8 violations on record.