WaterVerge

Is Notasulga, AL Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A+ with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Notasulga ranks. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: AL0000862
Overall Score
95.5 / 100
Violations
None active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#24 of 353 in Alabama Top 2% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
95.5/100
waterverge.com
A+ 95.5/100

Notasulga, AL — Water Quality Report

Notasulga's drinking water received a grade of A+ (95.5 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,850 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 1.1 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 10 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.

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

What to know about Notasulga's water

Notasulga ranks #24 out of 353 cities in Alabama for water quality, placing it one of the best 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, Notasulga may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
95.5 out of 100 Grade A+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.5/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Notasulga, AL water safe to drink?

Generally Safe

Based on EPA testing data, Notasulga's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (95.5/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,850 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

None
Violations
1.1 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Notasulga

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Notasulga's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (95.5/100).

Disaster
HURRICANE HELENE

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

Disaster
HURRICANE SALLY

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

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.1 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Notasulga's water system has 10 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.

MR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2013 TTHM Resolved
Jul 2013 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Apr 2013 TTHM Resolved
Apr 2013 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jan 2013 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Macon County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1995. 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 Sougahatchee Creek, Uphapee Creek.

HURRICANE HELENE
Hurricane FEMA DR-3618
HURRICANE SALLY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3545
HURRICANE NATE
Hurricane FEMA DR-4349

Where does Notasulga's water come from?

Notasulga's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,850 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Sougahatchee Creek (river), Uphapee Creek (river).

What Notasulga residents can do

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Notasulga'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
1.1 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

10
Total violations
0
Health-based
0
Active / unresolved
Jul 2013
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

10 Total
0 Active
0 Health-based
10 Resolved
Violations by category
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
8
Total Coliform Rule
2
Jul 2013 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 2013
Jul 2013 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 2013
Apr 2013 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2013
Apr 2013 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2013
Jan 2013 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 2013
Jan 2013 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 2013
Oct 2012 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 2013
Oct 2012 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 2013
Apr 1999 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 1999
Oct 1993 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1993
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Notasulga

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 18 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
BRIGGS & STRATTON LLC
Machinery · BUCEPHALUS BUYER LLC
AUBURN, AL36830
Copper188.9 mi
DONALDSON CO INC
Transportation Equipment · DONALDSON CO INC
AUBURN, AL36830
8.8 mi
ARGOS AUBURN CONCRETE PLANT
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · SUMMIT MATERIALS LLC
AUBURN, AL36830
8.6 mi
GE AEROSPACE AUBURN
Transportation Equipment · GENERAL ELECTRIC CO (GE CO)
AUBURN, AL36832
6.7 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Macon 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)
21.7%
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

Macon County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1995. 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 2017
HURRICANE NATE
Hurricane FEMA #4349
Oct 2017
HURRICANE NATE
Hurricane FEMA #3394
Sep 2017
HURRICANE IRMA
Hurricane FEMA #3389
Aug 2008
HURRICANE GUSTAV
Hurricane FEMA #3292

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.1 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 3.9 ppb from 1993 (5.0 ppb) to 2023 (1.1 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,850
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Notasulga's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Notasulga'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 2,850 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Notasulga

Notasulga is located near 2 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

Sougahatchee Creek
river
Uphapee Creek
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Notasulga

System Name PWSID Population Source
NOTASULGA WATER SYSTEM AL0000862 2,850 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Notasulga compares

Full Alabama rankings →

Notasulga's score of 95.5/100 is above the average of 78/100 among major Alabama cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Notasulga (this city)
95.5
Birmingham
89.2
Huntsville
69.8
Montgomery
88.7
Mobile
87.9
Tuscaloosa
87.6
Alabama avg
78
City Profile

About Notasulga, AL

Wikipedia →

Notasulga is a town in Macon and Lee counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population of the town was 914. The portion in Lee County is part of the Auburn Metropolitan Area. According to the 1910 U.S. Census, it incorporated in 1893. Author Zora Neale Hurston was born in Notasulga in 1891. The town name comes from the Creek words noti sulgi, which means "many teeth".

Economic Profile
$52,083
Median Income
$106,993
Median Home Value
$689/mo
Median Rent
3.7%
Unemployment
Community
43.4
Median Age
27
People / sq mi
16.9%
College Educated
75.3%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Notasulga, AL tap water safe to drink?

Notasulga's water quality earned a grade of A+ (95.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #24 out of 353 cities tested in Alabama.

What contaminants are in Notasulga's water?

Lead was measured at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile). 10 violations are on record.

How is Notasulga'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 Notasulga?

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

Where does Notasulga's water come from?

Notasulga's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,850 residents.

How does Notasulga's water compare to other cities?

Notasulga ranks #24 out of 353 cities in Alabama (better than 93% of state cities) and #305 out of 15744 cities nationally (98th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Notasulga's small water system affect quality?

Notasulga's system serves approximately 2,850 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 10 violations on record.